3 minute read
Helping deaf patients through sign language.
Danielle Evans is one of our Team NWAS paramedics working in Liverpool. Danielle was diagnosed as deaf when she was four years old and has spent considerable time championing accessibility for deaf people.
Danielle talks to us about her journey to becoming a paramedic and using her fluency in sign language, expertise by experience and passion for patient care to help ambulance service patients who are deaf.
“I was born with hearing but contracted Chickenpox when I was two years old and then diagnosed as deaf when I was four. Since then, I have worn hearing aids to help me with my hearing.
“I gained my level two qualification in BSL then went on to work in a youth club as a youth worker. This is where I gained my experience in working with young deaf adults.
“When I left school, I applied to the paramedic course at university as it was something I had wanted to do from an early age, but I was not successful and I didn’t know why - it knocked my confidence. I decided to take another route to fulfil my ambition and started working as a volunteer in a hospital. I got many volunteer hours under my belt and applied for a job as a health worker, which I got. In this role, I met ambulance colleagues and talked to them about becoming a paramedic and they always encouraged me to go for it.
“It was at this point I saw a job advertised at NWAS in the Patient Transport Service. I applied, got the job and did it for seven months before I applied to be an emergency medical technician (EMT). Again I was successful. I did the training and worked in that role for two years before trying university again for the paramedic course.
“I got a place at Greenwich University in London and moved down there to study while working part-time for NWAS as an EMT, coming back to Liverpool for my shifts. I graduated two years ago and I am finally a full-time paramedic.” “Gaining experience as a volunteer and working within different roles in the health service has helped to shape me into the paramedic I am today.”
Danielle has made a big impact on her colleagues and hospital staff, who have requested her assistance on numerous occasions, even more so during the pandemic.
“I have been called to help colleagues with patients who are deaf and have struggled to communicate with the crew. I have been able to help them by using BSL to build a rapport with the patient, instantly making a difference to their experience.
“Patients have spotted me in the hospital using sign language and have approached me to ask for help in getting to a particular ward. On one occasion, the consultant asked if I could help her communicate with one of her patients who was profoundly deaf, which I did, and it immediately put them at ease, and the consultant commended me for it.”
Talking about facing barriers in her career, Danielle said: “Being hard of hearing has never stopped my ambition to be a paramedic. For me, listening to patient’s chests when they are experiencing breathing problems was a barrier I picked up on in training. However, I have a stethoscope on hand that allows me to do this and overcome it.
“I’m trying to make little differences where I can, and I am hopeful to help shape some of the work NWAS is doing to improve accessibility and inclusivity.”
