RNID and Shionogi have joined forces for an impactful three-year project aimed at improving healthcare access for people who are deaf, have hearing loss, or tinnitus.
This collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to addressing the challenges faced by these communities.
A shared vision for equitable healthcare
This piece of work is aligned with RNID’s strategic objective to improve healthcare access for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
More than 18 million people in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, yet many continue to face significant barriers when engaging with health and social care services. Together, RNID and Shionogi will work to empower individuals to know and demand their rights while equipping healthcare professionals with the tools and insights needed to provide accessible care.
Our partnership goals
Through this collaboration, RNID and Shionogi will focus on:
- Raising awareness of the challenges deaf people and those with hearing loss or tinnitus face in healthcare settings.
- Developing insight-driven resources that support our communities in understanding their rights and how to communicate their needs to healthcare providers.
- Developing insight-driven tools for healthcare professionals and pharmacists to support them in meeting their obligations to remove communication barriers for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
- Increasing knowledge, awareness and advocacy of the importance of accessible information in the healthcare sector.
Ryuichi Kiyama, Senior Executive Officer, Shionogi & Co., Ltd, said:
Since 2016, SHIONOGI has been driving the Communication Barrier-Free Project in Japan to eliminate communication barriers for patients with hearing loss. We are delighted to collaborate with RNID, a historic UK charity, to improve healthcare access for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Together, we strive to ensure equal access to quality care and create a society where hearing loss is never a barrier to medical support.”
How we’ll do it
To achieve these objectives, we will take a multi-faceted approach:
- Gathering insights from people who are deaf or have hearing loss to understand their experiences and ensure that the tools we develop will address their specific needs.
- Engaging with healthcare professionals and pharmacists to identify the tools and resources they need to effectively and consistently meet patient communication requirements.
- Applying a behaviour change approach to develop our tools and resources, ensuring that solutions provide real improvements in healthcare accessibility.
- Increasing awareness among healthcare professionals about their responsibility to remove communication barriers and ensure equitable access to care.
By bringing together the expertise, brand influence, and investment of both organisations, we will reach a wide audience and drive meaningful improvements in healthcare access. The initiative will also strengthen advocacy efforts, ensuring that accessible information and communication support are recognised as fundamental rights for people who are deaf, have hearing loss, or experience tinnitus.