SignTranslate win ICT Product Innovation Award

2008-11-19

SignTranslate, producers of unique web-based communication programs, were presented with an award for innovation at the BT e-Health Insider Awards held at the Millennium Mayfair Hotel on 17th November. The Awards recognise and reward the efforts of outstanding teams and individuals in UK healthcare information technology.

SignTranslate's award is in recognition of the company's ground breaking translation program SignTranslate Hospital, that helps hospital staff to communicate with patients who are sign-language users or foreign language speakers. The program translates over 500 medical questions into British Sign Language (BSL) using short video clips and also into 12 foreign languages in written and spoken form. In addition the program allows on-line access to "live" fully qualified BSL interpreters. Via a web-cam, a Deaf patient can enjoy a fully interactive discussion with a clinician through the remote interpreter.

Phil Murden, SignTranslate's Managing Director, said "we're delighted to have won the award. Doctors are telling us good communication is critical in a healthcare setting but interpreting support can be difficult to find. We hope SignTranslate Hospital will be an effective communication tool for short notice, unsupported appointments."

Dr Glyn Hayes, Chair of the e-Health Insider awards panel said "being a social business had not stopped SignTranslate from achieving on an impressive scale and helping overcome a real issue in clinical practice."

SignTranslate Hospital's questions cover; audiology, maternity, ward care, A & E and major incidents and have been developed with advice from some of the country's leading hospitals. The hospital program follows on from the success of SignTranslate's GP program.

SignTranslate Ltd accepting the Healthcare ICT Product Innovation award at the BT eHealth Insider Awards ceremony at the Millennium Mayfair Hotel on 17-Nov-08. Pictured are: Dr Glyn Hayes (chair of judges), Bob Grable (SignTranslate Technical Director), Phil Murden (SignTranslate MD), Lauren Besant (SignTranslate Marketing Director), Neil Cooper (SignTranslate Business Development Director), Gayna Hart (MD of Quicksilva, award sponsors), Dr Phil Hammond (awards MC). Missing from the picture is Roger Hewitt, SignTranslate's Ambassador to the Deaf Community.

 

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