"Hearing impaired problems and phone calls to GP"

This story has been posted by Healthwatch Tameside on behalf of a member of the public who asked not to have their name published. They said…

This lady wanted to make the point that at GP surgeries now, the push button phone system eg. press 1 for….. Is not accessible for those with a hearing impairment. When on the phone, if you have a hearing impairment you go off the context of the conversation and although you may not hear all the words you get the gist of what is said. But pushing buttons just gets you confused. If the lady wants anything she has to drive down to the surgery - but what about all those people who don't have a car? In addition, telephone conversations are difficult.