A HEALTH care assistant has devised an aid to help special needs hospital patients who find it difficult to communicate.
Kate Burnell, from Stockton, has come up with a special pack for patients with sight, hearing and speech problems.
The kit includes Braille characters, sign and English alphabets and flashcard pictures with newspaper, coffee, telephone and medication symbols.
Ms Burnell, 20, said: "Many patients have problems with communicating for a variety of reasons, and it can often be embarrassing or distressing for them.
"It is imperative that we understand what they are trying to tell us and the alphabets and flashcards are simple devices that ensure all patients are heard."
She devised the pack as part of a National Vocational Qualification course in care at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough.
The idea has already been taken up by her employers, the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.
Senior clinical nurse Barbara Carr said: "Good communication has a vital part to play in ensuring the trust provides the best possible care to patients, and Katie's work is an illustration of how our staff constantly look at new ways to improve and strengthen services."
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