Housekeeper learns sign language to better support Deaf patients on ward
As part of Sign Language Week, 17-23 March 2025, we spoke to Zaaika, Housekeeping Assistant, on Grampian Ward at Rampton Hospital, who has gone above and beyond to ensure she can support Deaf patients.
She started with the Trust about four years ago at Rampton Hospital as a housekeeping assistant. When she started working on Grampian Ward, where there are Deaf patients, she found it very difficult to communicate with the patients. It caused frustration for the patients and for Zaaika. She was having to ask ward colleagues to sign for her to find out what the patients needed.
She raised the issue with the ward manager and her line manager, who both supported her to go onto British Sign Language (BSL) courses.
She has now completed levels one and two in British Sign Language (BSL) and will be starting level three in September 2025, which is a one-year course.
Sign Language Week is a flagship awareness week for British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language, celebrated every year in March to commemorate the first time BSL was acknowledged as a language in its own right by the UK Government on 18 March 2003.
Zaaika can now communicate with patients to find out exactly what they need and understand them.
Zaaika said:
I feel part of the ward. I don't have to find an interpreter anymore. I can communicate with the patients for what they need.
I feel valued by my colleagues and especially the patients for the effort I have made to learn BSL. I am extremely proud to be part of the team.
I am grateful to the ward and my managers for the support they have given to complete the courses.
Sign Language Week aims to celebrate and educate about BSL and ISL, to encourage more people to start learning it and preserve BSL and ISL for future generations.
A patient commented:
I would like to highlight an important and integral part of Grampian wards community.
Our housekeeper Zaaika always does an outstanding job and always goes above and beyond. Grampian ward is always spotless.
I know I have submitted this comment but it is a view shared by all on Grampian, many thanks to Zaaika.
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