North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) is starting a British Sign Language (BSL) Relay Service for Deaf and BSL users.
Ambulances will have an iPad with SignVideo, a video relay service, to help crews communicate with Deaf and BSL patients at all times throughout the year.
With approximately 151,000 UK residents using BSL, including 87,000 who are Deaf, this tool will improve response in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
Mark Johns, engagement, diversity and inclusion manager at NEAS said: "This partnership with SignVideo means that when a patient who is Deaf or uses BSL, we are able to triage and communicate more easily."
Rachel Austin, coordinator from Hartlepool Deaf Centre said: "It will help to save more lives, ensure people get the best outcome and help achieve equality between Deaf and hearing people."
Staff training will take place over the next 12 months and finish by spring 2025.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here