AN interpreting service is being launched across the region for the deaf community.

More than £150,000 is being invested by health and social care professionals in the Tees Valley and County Durham to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The project brings together primary care trusts, hospitals and social services departments in a bid to help the 202,300 people with hearing impairment.

It is hoped to overcome a host of problems experienced for years by people with a hearing loss.

The service will reduce the chances of misdiagnosis, help explain technical or socially sensitive procedures and put an end to the use of inappropriate interpreters, particularly children.

The idea was initiated by Darlington and Durham Social Services and Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Tom Keogan, consultant in deaf services for Darlington Social Services, worked with Craig Jones, of Hartlepool Deaf Centre, on the project.

Darlington PCT chief executive Colin Morris said: "For too long, society has neglected the needs of people with hearing impairment.

"We have treated them as if they were disabled when in truth they simply use a different language which we have failed to appreciate.

"The new service is the first major step in putting that right."

One of the main goals is to stop deaf parents relying on their children in embarrassing and sensitive situations.

"I have heard of six-year-olds having to miss out on their childhoods because they have had to interpret for their mothers and fathers," said Liz Graham, clinical governance manager for Darlington Primary Care Trust.

"I know that inadequately trained staff are often used to interpret in health care situations."

Mr Keogan said that, too often, people expected profoundly deaf people to be able to read English when some had major problems.

He said that there were many examples of people being unaware of the diagnosis and operations they were to have.

"Health and social professionals need to realise that this new service is also for them," he said.

"A lot of deaf people have problems with reading and writing skills. They may indicate by signing yes to a lot of things they don't understand."

An information day on the service will be held on Saturday, from 9.30am to 3.30pm, at Kings Academy School, Stainton Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough.