Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Fund more British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters in the emergency services
Closed
11,670 signatures
What the petition asks
Fund more BSL interpreting services to ensure they continue throughout emergencies from start until finish. As it stands interpretation from BSL 999 ends when emergency services is dispatched, but there is often no interpreter during the emergency.
We want to ensure deaf people have equal access to emergency services without communication barriers and ensure the Equality Act 2010 and BSL Act 2022 are upheld.
Research has shown that many deaf people are dying young or have complex healthcare due to barriers. We want to prevent healthcare inequalities among the deaf community.
Research has shown that many deaf people are dying young or have complex healthcare due to barriers. We want to prevent healthcare inequalities among the deaf community.
Timeline
| 20 Jan 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 19 Jul 2026 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 20 Jul 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
11,670
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
20 Jan 2026
Closed
20 Jul 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.