The Department of Health and Social Care has issued its one-year progress report on the British Sign Language five-year plan, revealing a series of targeted actions that have expanded accessible communications for deaf users.
Published on 15 July, the document builds on the original plan from July 2025. It sets out measures to boost BSL use in public materials while linking directly to the government's wider 10 Year Health Plan for England. The focus remains on removing barriers to essential health and care information.
In its first year the department produced 46 BSL videos. These covered subjects ranging from the 10 Year Health Plan itself to the Men's Health Strategy and the Down Syndrome Act. Such output demonstrates a deliberate effort to translate complex policy into formats that deaf people can engage with independently.
Interpreters were also provided at both public and staff events. Internal awareness campaigns and briefings sought to embed the importance of BSL among department personnel. These steps address a long-standing gap where communication barriers have quietly limited equal access to services.
Digital design as standard
The update commits to designing inclusion into the NHS App by default. This promises equal access for BSL users without the need for later adaptations or workarounds. One statement in the document captures the intent plainly: "Our commitment is that people who have not previously been able to access and use healthcare on their own terms will, through digital technology, be able to."
Inclusion will be designed into the NHS App by default to ensure equal access, including BSL.
That principle aligns with a basic recognition of individual dignity. When essential health information remains out of reach because of format, the consequences fall hardest on those already navigating additional challenges. The department's approach here avoids expansive mandates, concentrating instead on practical adjustments within existing structures.