On Friday 11 April Stratford-on-Avon MP Nadhim Zahawi joined the South Warwickshire Deaf Group at their weekly coffee morning to hear about issues affecting deaf people in his constituency. One issue of real concern raised by the group was the quality of sign language interpretation at South Warwickshire NHS services, which was felt to have deteriorated in recent years. Nadhim is determined to ensure that deaf people can access vital services on the same terms as hearing people and will holding an urgent meeting with the Local Area Team to see what improvements can be made to sign language interpretation services in South Warwickshire. The Coventry and Warwickshire Sign Languages Interpreting Service (CWSLIS) was set up 21 years ago, after a hard-fought campaign by local deaf people. In 2011 this interpretation service was discontinued at Warwick Hospital, because the Local Area Team - the NHS body responsible for commissioning specialist services across Arden, Herefordshire and Worcestershire - had contracted a new London-based provider. The quality of interpretation provided by the new service is felt to be poor by the South Warwickshire Deaf Group, and members are concerned that this has left deaf people unable to properly describe health problems to doctors. Like spoken languages, sign languages have accents - with different expressions particular to different areas, which us why the group are campaigning for a return to the local interpretation service. Commenting Nadhim said: “I know from my business background that getting good value for money isn’t always the same thing as going for the cheapest option. When it comes to discussing your health with a doctor, clarity of expression is essential. I can only imagine how difficult it must be not be able to communicate your symptoms properly. I intend to meet with the Local Area Team as soon as possible to discuss what improvements can be made.”