{Department – Welsh}
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Cyfarwyddwr Therapiau Director of Therapies & & Gwyddorau Iechyd Health Science, Quality Ty Mansion & Safety Bronllys Mansion House Aberhonndu Bronllys Powys LD3 0LS Brecon Ffon (01874) 712421 Powys LD3 0LS Tel (01874) 712421 e-mail: [email protected] Our ref: AS/as/FOI/13.R.254 15 November 2013 Sent via email to: Dear Request under Freedom of Information Act 2000 Further to your previous correspondence in respect of your request for information which we originally received on 25 October 2013, I can confirm in accordance with S.1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, that Powys teaching Health Board holds the information you require. FOI Request What steps are being taken to rectify the problems faced by people with hearing loss in Mid Wales Powys Response Lip-reading This plays a vital role in helping an individual to adapt to living with hearing loss. It provides a vital link back to the outside world and helps those with hearing loss maintain confidence and independence. The ability to lip-read helps prevent family and social isolation and often enables those with hearing loss to carry on working. Across the UK there is currently a massive shortfall in the number of classes available and the number of lip-reading tutors. Work is already underway in Wales to try and improve this situation. Thanks to £202,000 Welsh Government funding, and in conjunction with Wales Council for Deaf People, North Wales Deaf Association and Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, 7 new tutors from across Wales have just completed a year long training course at Coleg Harlech, and will shortly Pencadlys y Bwrdd Iechyd Health Board Headquarters Y Plasty, Bronllys, Aberhonddu, Powys LD3 0LS Mansion House, Bronllys, Brecon, Powys LD3 0LS Ffôn: 01874 711661 Ffacs: 01874 711601 Tel: 01874 711661 Fax: 01874 711601 Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth Gymraeg We welcome correspondence in Welsh Bwrdd Iechyd Addysgu Powys yw enw gweithredd Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Powys Teaching Health Board is the operational name of Addysgu Powys Powys Teaching Local Health Board be setting up lip reading classes throughout Wales. Dates and venues will be announced in September 2013. A further 16 tutors will be trained next year. By training more lip reading tutors, Local Authorities will then have the resource base to be able to run many more classes at a local level. Audiology departments will signpost new and existing patients to recognised Lip-reading classes. Written information is readily available in the departments regarding accessible lip-reading classes which were set up in Wales in September 2013 for people who are hard of hearing. Audiology staff are wholly committed to supporting their colleagues in Local Authorities Social Care who will be responsible in establishing the classes in conjunction with Wales Council for Deaf People, North Wales Deaf Association and Action on Hearing Loss Cymru. I am pleased to report that Lip Reading classes commenced on September 26th 2013 in Glangrwyney Village Hall Crickhowell. It is proposed that courses will commence in Coleg Powys Newtown in the Autumn. British Sign Language Users Powys for quite some time have used WITS (All Wales interpreter service) to provide face to face British Sign Language interpreters. Joint Interagency Working Groups These were set up in 2011 and Powys County Council hosts Disability and Sensory Impairment meetings which are held on a quarterly basis. The aim is “To provide an integrated approach to services for those adults who have acquired hearing impairment or deafness, to ensure an accessible and cohesive service for all users.” Volunteers At present, information packs are being sent out to all those persons who have expressed an interest in becoming a volunteer. This is being co- ordinated through Action on Hearing Loss. At Powys’ last meeting, we are hopeful that Volunteers will be in place early in the New Year for training – depending on the numbers of applications received. Should you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at the address below. If you are dissatisfied, with the way your request has been dealt with by the teaching Health Board (tHB), you have the right to request a review in which case you should write to: Chief Executive Powys Teaching Health Board Mansion House Bronllys Brecon Powys LD3 0LS If you are still dissatisfied at the end of the review, you may complain to the Information Commissioner, who can be contacted at the following address: Information Commissioner’s Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SH9 5AF Yours sincerely Amanda Smith Director of Therapies & Health Science, Quality and Safety and Executive Lead for FOI .