SNS 24 has a new service to assist deaf people

The SNS24 line (contact centre of the National Health Service) now has a video call service for the deaf. The line has six Portuguese Sign Language interpreters who will provide assistance 24 hours a day.

After the contact between the deaf citizen and the interpreter, it will then mediate with the nurse of the NHS Contact Centre, through a voice assistance platform.

This new feature could also be used to ensure communication between health professionals and the deaf patient during hospitalisation or interactions in the health centre.

The request for deaf people service is made through the SNS24 portal (there is a link in the top bar of the site), where the person chooses whether to obtain the appropriate guidance for their health problem through video call in Portuguese sign language or through a Chat conversation by written messages.

The provision of this service is the result of a partnership between the Serviços Partilhados do Ministério da Saúde, E.P.E. (Shared Services of the Ministry of Health), the Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação, I. P. (National Institute for Rehabilitation) and the Portuguese Federation of Deaf Associations.