Almost half of public don’t think deaf people can be doctors or nurses

Almost half of the public don’t think deaf people can work as doctors or nurses 

• 46% aren’t confident deaf people can work as doctors, while 45% say the same about nursing.
• A deaf consultant in the NHS told us: “Being a doctor is a huge privilege and I love the variety of patients and academic interest it provides.”
• The GMC said: “No-one should ever be prohibited from studying or practising medicine just because they have a health condition or disability.”
• A third of deaf pupils have not received any careers advice.

Almost half of the public don’t think deaf people can work as doctors or nurses, reveals the National Deaf Children’s Society in a new study.

In reality, being deaf is not an obstacle to pursuing a profession as a doctor or a nurse and some are already working in those professions.

A YouGov poll of 2,176 people, commissioned by the charity, found that 46% weren’t confident that deaf people could work as doctors and 45% said the same about them going into nursing.

The charity is concerned that such misconceptions may cause deaf young people to limit or change their plans, ruling out careers in the medical profession because they wrongly believe they can’t apply.

Dr Helen Grote is deaf and a Consultant Neurologist at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She told us:

“I’ve absolutely no regrets about my chosen career path; being a doctor is a huge privilege and I love the variety of patients and academic interest it provides. My deafness has given me the resolve to help create a fairer, more equitable environment wherever I work.”

Caitlin Tanner is deaf and an intensive care nurse. She said:

“I’ve worked within an intensive care unit as a nurse for three years. I believe that with greater deaf awareness that there should be no limitations for deaf people in achieving and becoming whoever they want.”

The charity fears that part of the problem may arise in schools. In a separate survey, it found that over a third of deaf pupils had received no careers advice at all. Only one in ten had received careers advice tailored to their deafness.

Responding to the findings, the charity said that schools and colleges have a huge role to play in providing deaf young people with careers advice that makes them aware of the many career choices available.

Martin McLean, Senior Policy Adviser at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:

“There are no restrictions on deaf people being doctors or nurses, so it would be a travesty if they missed out because they wrongly believe they can’t apply.

“In fact, almost all jobs are fully open to deaf young people with the right support. There are lots of deaf role models leading the way and showing their talent, but many more are being held back by the limited aspirations other people hold for them.

“This needs to change, and schools, colleges, universities and employers all have a role to play. By reaching more deaf young people, meeting their needs and giving them the right support, we can make sure they all get the chance to succeed.”

Professor Colin Melville, Medical Director and Director for Education and Standards at the General Medical Council (GMC) said:

“We firmly believe people with disabilities should be welcomed to the profession and valued for their contribution to patient care. No-one should ever be prohibited from studying or practising medicine just because they have a health condition or disability.”

Anne Trotter, Assistant Director of Professional Practice at the Nursing and midwifery council a registered nurse for more than 40 years, said:

“Being deaf doesn’t need to be a barrier for anyone wanting to join our register. We never assume a disability or health condition will necessarily mean someone cannot enter a pre-registration nursing or midwifery programme or that a nurse or midwife can’t deliver safe, effective and kind care.”