Kavita is deaf and blind and has severe epilepsy which means she is often taken to hospital by ambulance. On virtually every admission Kavita said she was often treated with rudeness and misunderstanding. No efforts were made to explain things or regularly observe or support her.

During one hospital stay, Kavita was moved to a different ward without any warning. She was not shown where the toilet was so she lay in wet clothing for many hours.

Kavita asked POhWER to help her raise her concerns with the hospital. When a meeting was requested by her advocate the response was ‘how can she have a meeting if she is deaf and blind?’.

Kavita’s advocate helped her to prepare a letter of complaint which specified her communication needs. The first response from the hospital completely ignored Kavita’s request. When a meeting was arranged the hospital would not pay for an interpreter until her advocate quoted equality legislation.

With the support of her advocate, and after a nine month complaint process, the hospital worked with Kavita to develop an About Me booklet which she now carries at all times. A copy is also kept in A&E for staff to refer to.