Help accessing our services
There are a number of ways people with additional communications needs can access our services.
SMS texting 999
Allows deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired people to send a text message to 999 instead of calling. The service is available in the UK only. Register your mobile phone at http://www.emergencysms.net/
British Sign Language for 111
Use signvideo.co.uk/nhs111 The service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Translation services
We use the Language Line service for verbal translation for those who don’t speak English. It is free and is accessed by our control centre staff on behalf of patients when needed.
Further support accessing services
The Accessible Information Standard is a requirement in England for all providers of NHS care or publicly funded adult social care. The standard is to make sure people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss get the information they need in a way they can understand.
If you need support to access our services due to communication needs, our Patient Experience team can help arrange this. You can call 0300 123 9280 or email patientexperience@scas.nhs.uk