Western Trust teams showcase deaf service user project on World Cancer Day

To mark International Sign language day, the Western Trust breast, social work and sensory support team presented a showcase of the work that they undertook as part of their “World Cancer Day” Macmillan funded project.

They shared learning with staff from the Emergency Department, Social Work, Laboratory, Colonoscopy and Trust Volunteers, on what they have achieved to improve the Deaf service user experience for breast services and promote uptake of breast screening and symptomatic services.

The project began in 2024, with Deaf service user groups being invited to engage with the breast team and feedback on the information available on their services to people from the Deaf community with support from the WHSCT Macmillan health & Wellbeing Campus. As a result of these workshops, the primary objective was developed to provide information and resources for those attending clinics at Altnagelvin and the mobile breast screening units.

Marietta Connor, Assistant Radiology Service Manager said: “The breast team has worked closely with several organisations in the community, to produce resources in British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign language (ISL) format.

“We realise the importance of our Deaf service users being able to freely access information and resources at any time and hope that with these resources we have opened that information pathway for them.”

Marietta Connor, Assistant Radiology Service Manager at the Western Trust and Annmarie Wilson, Assistant Practitioner, Western Trust Breast Screening Service  showcasing their work as part of ‘World Cancer Day’ Macmillan funded project to improve experience of Deaf service users attending Breast Screening services.

Ursula O Neill, Team Lead in the Sensory team welcomed the work being done by the breast team. She said: “Seeing a service work on improving their staff knowledge and training so pro-actively is a very positive step for Deaf, hard of hearing and visually impaired patients.

“The variety of aids the sensory team have available have also been displayed through this showcase and it is great to get the word out there as to what is available to assist people when they attend for appointments.”

Late-night bus and train services confirmed for Derry festive season

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomed the announcement but says permanent rail link upgrades are 'urgently needed'

North West Cancer Centre receives generous donation from local family

The Quigg family recently organised a golf day fundraiser event at the City of Derry Golf Club to raise money for NWCC.

Thie video give an overview of the project and shows some of the supporting aids in use, very kindly demonstrated by Edel and Kelly.

For more information on the breast service please visit: https://westerntrust.hscni.net/service/breast-services/.