Sensory services
From 30 June 2022, this website will not be updated
For the latest local health and care information, visit the new websites for Integrated Care Board hertsandwestessex.icb.nhs.uk or the Integrated Care System hertsandwestessexics.org.uk
From 1 July 2022, Clinical Commissioning Groups will be cease to exist. Commissioning functions and information that has been previously held by East and North Hertfordshire CCG is transferring to the new NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (HWEICB) on 1 July 2022.
HWEICB will become the new data controller. Any questions about the use of data (including patient data) by the new ICB should be directed to hertsvalleysccg.hwecorporategovernance@nhs.net
There are no changes to how local residents access NHS frontline services in Hertfordshire and West Essex as part of these changes.
Sensory services
The term sight impairment, also known as visual impairment, refers to someone who is blind or partially sighted. It does not refer to someone who is short-sighted or long-sighted.
d/Deaf refers to someone who is Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. The term d/Deaf includes people who are Deaf (British Sign Language users), who were either born deaf or became deaf in early childhood and use BSL as their first preferred language. The focus of this term is on the ‘D’ in Deaf to indicate that they have their own sign language, culture and identity. D/deaf is used to describe people who are Deaf (Sign language User) and deaf (including people who are hard of hearing or deafened, losing hearing later in life, but have English as the first language and may lipread and/or use their hearing aids). Deafblindness is regarded as a separate unique disability. Individuals are regarded as deafblind if their combined sight and hearing loss causes difficulties with communication, access to information and mobility.
The resources listed on this page here aim to provide clear information in an accessible way. Thank you to Hertfordshire County Council for providing these resources.
You can find Hertfordshire's Sensory Services Strategy 2020-2023 using link: https://bit.ly/3jWr4R6. The vision of the Sensory Strategy is to 'provide services of excellence, to support deaf, deafblind and sight impaired people of all ages to be independent, to have choice and control and to participate fully in society.'
- Accessibility COVID19: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/accessibilitycovid
- Pathway of Services for children and young people with sensory needs- Toolkit for navigating sensory services in Hertfordshire: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/sensorypathway
- SignVideo –If you are deaf customer and wish to contact Hertfordshire County Council, please contact them using SignVideo, our live BSL video interpreting service (Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm)
- Deaf Enhanced Support Services (Primary Health Care) - Providing online remote interpreting access within non-emergency health care settings, clear two-way access to communication between Deaf BSL users and health care professionals available free via DA Languages
- Accessibility COVID19: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/accessibilitycovid
- Hertfordshire Sensory Strategy 2020-23: The vision of the Sensory Strategy is to “provide services of excellence, to support deaf, deafblind and sight impaired people of all ages to be independent, to have choice and control and to participate fully in society.”
- Pathway of Services for children and young people with sensory needs- Toolkit for navigating sensory services in Hertfordshire: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/sensorypathway
- NHS Accessible Information Standard – making our health and social care information accessible for people with learning disabilities, sensory loss and/or other communication needs.
- Sensory Factsheets for children and adults with Sensory Needs including Deaf and hard of hearing directory (PDF) and Factsheets available in BSL