NNUH wins gold Hearing Dog Friendly award

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has won a gold award in the Hearing Dog Friendly competition organised by the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

North Walsham resident Barbara Bird nominated the hospital for the award because staff made her hearing dog Ceri welcome whenever she had an appointment there.

Barbara says: “My hearing dog Ceri has been to the hospital with me and was made most welcome.  When I’m there, Ceri just sits quietly on my coat for the duration of my visit.  I feel very proud of her!”  

Sister Kay Marrison, Denton Ward, says: “As a team we aim to make any patient’s stay in hospital as pleasant as possible and we are all thrilled to be receiving this award. The staff on Denton Ward would like to say thank you to Mrs Bird for her complimentary feedback regarding the care and attention she received whilst an in-patient with us and wish Mrs Bird and Ceri well for the future.”  

The panel of judges, which included Hearing Dogs’ Head of PR and accessibility issues, Jenny Moir, agreed that Norfolk and Norwich  University Hospital demonstrated an exceptional willingness to welcome deaf people with their hearing dogs and had obviously taken steps to ensure it was readily accessible for people with disabilities.    Jenny says: “

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People launched the Hearing Dog Friendly Award in 2003 to recognise and encourage good practice among towns, cities and service providers across the UK.  For entries into the town or city category we consider transport, shops, eating places and hotels; rating them on accessibility and attitude; assessing whether steps have been taken to ensure deaf people and their hearing dogs have access to shops and other venues and are made to feel welcome.   The latter criteria apply equally to nominations in the service provider category.  Norfolk and Norwich University Norwich Hospital excelled in all areas and we have no hesitation in awarding them a Hearing Dog Friendly gold award.”