Graduation for ‘tireless’ student committed to improving healthcare for deaf people

A paramedic science student who single handedly brought British Sign Language (BSL) and deaf awareness training to hundreds of his fellow students has graduated.

Daniel Hunt organised the training after learning of the potentially life-threatening communication problems faced by deaf people when interacting with healthcare workers.

He wanted to ensure the next generation of healthcare professionals, including paramedics, nurses, physiotherapists and midwives, were equipped with sign language skills to enable them to communicate more effectively with deaf patients and improve care.

Throughout his three-year degree, Daniel collaborated with the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People in Bristol to arrange dozens of professional training sessions delivered by deaf instructors for more than 500 fellow students at Glenside campus.

The training he introduced has now become a permanent fixture on the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science programme, meaning student paramedics will benefit from the vital training for years to come. It is understood to be the only paramedic science course in the country with a compulsory deaf awareness training component.

Daniel, who now works as a paramedic for South Western Ambulance Service, said: “In healthcare, and particularly the ambulance service, we're going out to people in a real time of need and in emergency situations. It's often a crisis for them and it makes it so much worse when we can't communicate effectively.

“This training can really make a difference for both the clinician and the patient.

“When we first introduced the training, the sessions exploded in popularity. The training was delivered by deaf trainers and deaf organisations, so it was really impactful.

“UWE has recognised the success of the training and made it permanent in the paramedic programme, with the potential to extend it to midwifery and optometry courses too. That's really important because it’s prompted lasting change for healthcare students. That’s amazing and that's the thing I'm most proud of.”

Daniel, who is not deaf or hard of hearing, became interested in BSL several years ago through his love of languages. When he began university, he founded the British Sign Language student society. The society quickly became popular, and Daniel approached the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People for help to deliver deaf awareness training.

The 38-year-old, from Fishponds, said: “I started learning sign language and as I made friends in the deaf community, it unlocked a whole new community of people for me.

“Talking to them about my work as a paramedic student and listening to their stories of where they've struggled to access the health service or had bad experiences, I felt the two were really interconnected and I had a responsibility to try and influence people and encourage people to improve their deaf awareness. I wanted to be an advocate for the deaf community.”

Daniel left school with no GCSEs and worked for as a postman for 10 years before entering higher education, even delivering letters to Glenside campus as part of his postal round. He graduated with a first class honours degree at the Bristol Beacon, watched by proud members of his family.

Offering advice to prospective university students, Daniel said: “It’s never too late to retrain and you shouldn't write yourself off. People said I was a bit old for university and that it might be a bit much for me. It’s true that it’s very competitive but if you apply yourself, it's doable.

“The academic stuff might seem quite scary but there's loads of support out there to get you through it. For me, university was more than just the academic side – I really enjoyed the social side of things as well.”

Mark Gill, Community Development Officer at the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (CfD), said: “From our first meeting with Dan, it was clear that he was committed to improving the experience of deaf people who are under the care of healthcare professionals. 

“Dan is a hugely committed and passionate person, working tirelessly to improve equality if and where he can. His work will guide and inform the future of healthcare for deaf and hard of hearing people. The CfD and the deaf community will forever be indebted to him.”

Julian Simpson, programme leader for the paramedic science course at UWE Bristol when Daniel was studying for his degree, said: “Dan has made an extraordinary impact during his time as a student. His creation of the BSL society and course has not only enhanced the paramedic curriculum but has also shifted our cultural understanding of accessibility in healthcare.

“Dan has demonstrated a true understanding of something that lies at the very heart of healthcare – the art of medicine. This is not just about clinical skills but about generosity and building meaningful human connections in a person’s time of need.

“Dan’s work to improve deaf awareness across UWE and beyond reflects his unwavering commitment to ensuring that patients do feel seen, heard and understood.

“Dan’s legacy is not only a permanent part of our paramedic curriculum, but a powerful reminder of the kind of practitioner we all aspire to be. We are all very proud of him.”