NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been shortlisted for the Patient involvement and choice category at the NHS Excellence Awards 2026.
The award was for a project centred around ‘Isaac’s story’ – a powerful, real-life account from a young deaf man in Cornwall. The project highlights the challenges that deaf people face in accessing health and public services, especially the communication barriers that prevent many from receiving safe, timely and appropriate care.
Isaac’s story prompted NHS Cornwall to listen, learn and take action with partners – working with Diabetes UK South West and South Central, Hearing Loss Cornwall, local people from the long-term conditions lived experience group, and the Deaf Community Centre.
This has led to a range of system-wide changes, including:
- increased deaf awareness and communication training for staff
- development of British Sign Language (BSL) communications materials, to make information more accessible for this health condition
- a national partnership with Diabetes UK to create BSL diabetes advice films, now used across the UK.
People with lived experience influenced the work at every stage, ensuring that deaf people were central to shaping the changes.
Chair of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB and NHS Devon ICB, John Govett said:
“We are incredibly proud to be shortlisted for this national award. It shows the difference we can make when we listen to patients and act on their experiences.
“Isaac’s story, which was presented to our Board members, has helped us understand the challenges faced by deaf people and has driven meaningful, lasting change across our system.
“I would like to thank our partners and people with lived experience for being involved. You have helped make care more accessible for local people and others across the country.”
Terence Spivey, chairman of Hearing Loss Cornwall said:
“What fantastic news. This means more awareness of British Sign Language in the medical world. Helping NHS staff become more aware of the barriers the deaf community face when dealing with medical issues is a giant step forward, as many deaf patients have had to struggle to get help and support.
“Creating diabetes videos in BSL is the first step, and I look forward to many more projects in the future. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this national award shortlisting possible and I continue to work with the NHS to champion the needs of deaf people.”
Lucy Tuson, director of communications and experience, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and NHS Devon said:
“We heard from local members of the deaf community about the challenges they face every day trying to access a range of services, and how health information is not easily available for deaf people. This led to the project to create a series of diabetes advice films in British Sign Language in partnership with Diabetes UK.
“This shortlisting is wonderful recognition of the project, and I am very grateful to everyone who was involved in creating the films. However, this is just one small part of an important journey. We must continue to take steps to improve access for and understand the needs of deaf people across health services – we all remain committed to doing that.”
Phaedra Perry, head of the South West and South Central regions for Diabetes UK said:
“We are thrilled that the work Diabetes UK has contributed to, alongside the hearing loss community and our NHS colleagues, has been shortlisted for a national NHS Excellence Award.
“By creating information in British Sign Language, we are helping deaf people who are living with or at risk of diabetes to get the important advice and support they need. This demonstrates the power of working together and with those with lived experience, to reduce barriers and improve care.”
The awards ceremony took place in Manchester and saw a strong showing from the south west, following from the success of Cornwall and Devon organisations named as regional champions in 7 of the 10 award categories.
