HOSPITAL staff are working to improve communications with patients by studying sign language.

Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust is working to improve services for patients with disabilities and aims to raise awareness among staff of the needs of hearing impaired people.

Staff who have a high level of contact with patients are studying basic sign language at night school.

An awareness study day delivered by Margaret Robson, who has been profoundly deaf since birth, proved popular and a second session is already fully booked.

Ms Robson has also given up her free time to go to the hospital to instruct and support staff in the use of new minicom systems.

"It's really important that we raise awareness amongst hospital staff of the needs of the deaf," said matron for outpatient services Angela Skeels.

"Coming into hospital can be daunting enough, but for patients with special communication needs it is important for them to know there are staff who can communicate effectively with them, and put them at ease."

The trust is planning to build on the success of the study days to support further training and development for staff to ensure equitable access to services for all users.

There are plans to set up sessions in order to practise the sign language skills already learnt.