Local MP Sheryll Murray was pleased to join support group ‘Hear We Go’ for people with hearing difficulties in South East Cornwall. Sheryll met with the group to discuss with them issues which they faced.
One key issue they faced was dealing with phone calls. One particular issue was automated answer menu options. They cannot ask the machine to speak up or talk slower. Sheryll said she would be taking this matter up with the Minister.
Speaking after the meeting she said, “We all get incredibly frustrated by automated menus when we make a call but it can be so much more hindering if you have hearing problems. I am going to raise this matter with the minister to see if a better code can be adopted, especially by the government, so that people facing hearing issues are not disadvantaged.”
Another matter that the groups raised was the ability to get time with their local doctors with many finding it difficult to get an appointment.
Sheryll, who was a doctors receptionist for 26 years on the Rame peninsula, commented, “Many doctors now have very rigid rules for the way they allocate their appointments system. I worked differently and tried my best to accommodate individual situations to ensure patients saw their doctor. I am going to write to the local doctors to make them aware of this difficulty that has been raised with me so they can be more considerate of those with hearing issues.”
Sheryll said of the meeting, “I would like to thank the ‘Hear We Go’ group for their kind invitation and am keen to take the issues forward. They really are a fantastic group and I would encourage anyone who has difficulties with hearing to get involved as many concerns are shared.”
The group normally meets on the first Tuesday of each month between 1.30pm and 3.30pm in the Log Room at the Public Rooms in West Street, Liskeard. As well as a range of speakers they also get together for meals, drinks and walks. The details can be found at their website: https://sites.google.com/site/hearwegocornwall/
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Contact: Sheryll Murray MP 01579 344428
Pictured: Sheryll with members of the group.