ST JOHN WA LAUNCHES AUSTRALIA FIRST AUSLAN INTERPRETING SERVICE

ST John Paramedics using the new interpreting service (Credit:Supplied)

BY ASAD KHAN

St John WA has taken a significant step in a broader effort to make pre-hospital care more accessible and inclusive for all.

In a partnership with Convo Australia St John WA has become the first emergency service in Australia to provide Auslan interpreting service for Dead or hard-hearing patients.

All of St John's ambulance crews will have access to certified interpreters in real-time via video call using iPads.

The new partnership builds on programs spearheaded by St John WA paramedic Lauren D’Arcy 

Ms D’Arcy said the service is beneficial and a game changer.

“It varies from region to region certainly in Perth Metropolitan region we would encounter quite a few deaf patients and it can be in varying different types,”

“It is a lot harder for visual languages like Auslan, so we need the video interpreters who can actually communicate in first language to Auslan speakers,

“It’s something that allows us to kind of enhance those communication skills.” 

Listen to WA Paramedic Lauren D’Arcy speak to Ngaarda Media’s Lead Journalist Asad Khan