Staff must be trained to speak clearly

摘要

I was pleased to see the importance of understanding speech in acute healthcare . settings raised in a large circulation journal (Analysis, 20 January). Two points spring to mind. Firstly, staff calling patients into clinical areas should go well into the waiting room and speak up clearly. So often they appear at a doorway and speak normally so that patients with hearing difficulties are on the edge of their seats all the time in case they miss their name. This happens even when the patient has told the receptionist of the problem and the notes are clearly marked on the cover.