{"id":3,"date":"2026-06-08T15:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T14:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weare.nhslothian.scot\/master-subsite\/?page_id=3"},"modified":"2026-06-08T15:40:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T14:40:48","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/","title":{"rendered":"British Sign Language (BSL)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/BSL_Logo-300x300.png\" alt=\"British Sign Language Logo\" class=\"wp-image-595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/BSL_Logo-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/BSL_Logo-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/BSL_Logo.png 694w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On this page you will find information about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#emergency\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#emergency\">Contacting us in an emergency<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#contact\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#contact\">Contact Scotland BSL<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#relay\">Relay UK<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#inform\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#inform\">BSL Information at NHS Inform<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#nearme\">NHS Near Me<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#complaint\">Making a complaint<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#reasonable\">Reasonable adjustments<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#strategic\">NHS Lothian Strategic BSL Plan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#equality\">NHS Lothian Equality and Human Rights<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:20% auto\" id=\"emergency\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/999bsl.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"264\" height=\"262\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/999_BSL.png\" alt=\"999 BSL\" class=\"wp-image-596 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/999_BSL.png 264w, https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/999_BSL-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 264px) 100vw, 264px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In an emergency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>BSL users can use <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/999bsl.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>999 BSL<\/strong><\/a><strong> for police, ambulance, fire or coastguard.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/999bsl.co.uk\/how-to\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">999 BSL Emergency Video Relay Service app<\/a> is also available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See <a href=\"https:\/\/999bsl.co.uk\/faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Frequently Asked Questions about 999 BSL<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:20% auto\" id=\"contact\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/contactscotland-bsl.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"213\" height=\"97\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/ContactScotland_BSL.png\" alt=\"ContactScotland BSL\" class=\"wp-image-594 size-full\"\/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contact Scotland BSL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BSL users who may have hearing loss or a condition affecting speech can get in touch with <a href=\"https:\/\/contactscotland-bsl.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Contact Scotland<\/a> to make telephone calls to public, voluntary and private sector services 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Non-emergency calls only <\/strong>(not 999 calls). A <a href=\"https:\/\/contactscotland-bsl.org\/download\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Contact Scotland BSL app<\/a> is also available for Apple and Android devices.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:20% auto\" id=\"relay\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.relayuk.bt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"459\" height=\"126\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/Relay_BSL.png\" alt=\"Relay BSL\" class=\"wp-image-593 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/Relay_BSL.png 459w, https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/Relay_BSL-300x82.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Relay UK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.relayuk.bt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Relay UK app from British Telecom<\/a> for assistance with phone communication.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:20% auto\" id=\"inform\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/translations\/languages\/british-sign-language-bsl\/what-is-nhs-inform-bsl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"459\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/NHSInform.png\" alt=\"NHSInform\" class=\"wp-image-592 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/NHSInform.png 459w, https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/NHSInform-300x109.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>BSL Information at NHS Inform<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is NHS inform?<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/translations\/languages\/british-sign-language-bsl\/what-is-nhs-inform-bsl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NHS inform<\/a> is Scotland\u2019s national health information service. It exists to help people make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What is NHSinform\" width=\"1520\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ESGWCd29lWs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>BSL information from NHS inform<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/translations\/languages\/british-sign-language-bsl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NHS inform website<\/a> to view information about immunisation, screening and other health topics in British Sign Language (BSL). See information in British Sign Language (BSL) about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h6-xETuDXN4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NHS Inform webchat service<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NHSinform Webchat (BSL)\" width=\"1520\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h6-xETuDXN4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:20% auto\" id=\"nearme\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"252\" height=\"252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/NearMe.png\" alt=\"NearMe\" class=\"wp-image-591 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/NearMe.png 252w, https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2026\/05\/NearMe-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>NHS Near Me<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Watch BSL-signed videos on YouTube about <a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/nhsnearme\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Near Me<\/a>, NHS Lothian\u2019s remote video appointment service:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Introduction to Near Me with British Sign Language 2024\" width=\"1520\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5ypGYByeRlM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Appointments by Near Me, British Sign Language Translation\" width=\"1520\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/b_kytPE5O7k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"complaint\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making a complaint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visit NHS Lothian\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/yourrights\/patient-experience-team-tell-us-about-your-experience\/how-to-give-feedback\/british-sign-language-giving-feedback-or-making-a-complaint-about-your-care\/\">Your Rights &amp; Privacy<\/a> page for information about giving feedback or making a complaint. See BSL-signed video below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Feedback, complaints and my rights - BSL\" width=\"1520\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DSoF30hF5p8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"reasonable\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reasonable adjustments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are reasonable adjustments?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have a duty to make&nbsp;reasonable adjustments for disabled people. This requires us to take positive steps to ensure that disabled people can access our services and can access and progress in employment. It is a cornerstone of the Equality Act 2010 and goes beyond simply avoiding discrimination. We are required to anticipate the needs of disabled people using our services and so far as is reasonably practicable, to make sure the access they enjoy is as near as possible to that enjoyed by the rest of the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although Deaf BSL users may not consider themselves disabled, they have protection from disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 and our duty to make reasonable adjustments may apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I request a reasonable adjustment?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To request a reasonable adjustment, please ask the NHS Lothian service you are involved with or ask your GP to include the request for reasonable adjustment in any referral information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"strategic\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">NHS Lothian Strategic BSL Plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Access NHS Lothian\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/org.nhslothian.scot\/equality-human-rights\/british-sign-language-plan-2024-2030\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">British Sign Language Plan 2024 \u2013 2030<\/a> in BSL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"equality\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">NHS Lothian Equality and Human Rights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Access NHS Lothian\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/org.nhslothian.scot\/equality-human-rights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Equality and Human Rights webpage<\/a> to view a BSL summary of our strategy and strategic priorities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On this page you will find information about: In an emergency BSL users can use 999 BSL for police, ambulance, fire or coastguard. A 999 BSL Emergency Video Relay Service app is also available. See Frequently Asked Questions about 999 BSL Contact Scotland BSL BSL users who may have hearing loss or a condition affecting<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/widewidth.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-3","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"st3vi3b0y","author_link":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/blog\/author\/st3vi3b0y\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"On this page you will find information about: In an emergency BSL users can use 999 BSL for police, ambulance, fire or coastguard. A 999 BSL Emergency Video Relay Service app is also available. See Frequently Asked Questions about 999 BSL Contact Scotland BSL BSL users who may have hearing loss or a condition affecting","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":618,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3\/revisions\/618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/bsl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}