June 2003

Staff show signs of better communication

Communication between deaf patients and staff at the Eye and Ear Hospital is improving following a joint initiative between the hospital and the Victorian Deaf Society (Vicdeaf).

Sixteen staff are taking up the challenge to learn Australian Sign Language (Auslan) so they can better communicate with deaf patients who sign.

The courses are held at the hospital and include external course participants.

Auslan uses a variety of distinct movements in place of spoken or written language.

Hand and arm movements, eye and facial expressions and head and body postures combine with finger-spelling to form a sign language that is equal in complexity and expression to spoken languages.

About 10,000 deaf Australians use Auslan, which has its own distinct grammatical structure.

The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Graeme Houghton said increasing the number of staff who could sign would result in better understanding.

‘The fact that more than 50 staff members vied for the 16 places indicates our commitment to continually improve customer service, particularly through better communication—a vital component in providing quality health care services,’ Mr Houghton said.

‘Because all the places in this inaugural course filled so quickly, we are now discussing with Vicdeaf the possibility of holding more courses at the hospital later in the year, attended by hospital staff and interested community members.’

Vicdeaf’s Chief Executive Officer John Paton said the partnership with the Eye and Ear Hospital gave Vicdeaf the chance to open up communications—in the most literal sense.

‘One of the obstacles faced by deaf people is that personal interactions with the hearing community are often unsatisfactory.

‘By helping to break down communications barriers at the Eye and Ear Hospital, the quality of care can only improve,’ Mr Paton said.

• For more information about Auslan courses contact Vicdeaf on 9657 8111 or email auslan@vicdeaf.com.au