Peter helps Healthwatch campaign for better information for disabled people

Peterborough resident Peter Skivington has lent his support to Healthwatch’s campaign to help improve information given to disabled people.
Deafblind man talking at Healthwatch event

Peter and his guide dog, Betty, are coming along to our Accessible Information as Standard launch event on 21 November in Peterborough.

Peter is Deafblind and will be talking to us about some of his experiences of using health and care services.

‘Sometimes, it is difficult to get through to the GP on the phone,’ said Peter. ‘You wait 30 or 40 minutes. I can not book online because I am Deafblind. Then when you get through, the appointments can all be gone.’

‘Or they might offer me an appointment at short notice. I have to say no, as I need to book a carer. The doctors  surgery is too big on my own. I wouldn’t know if I was downstairs or upstairs. But if it was an emergency, I could book a carer. In an emergency, the carers are always there for you.’

Peter has advocated for Deafblind people’s welfare and rights for many years, including becoming a trustee of Deafblind UK. His work supporting Deafblind people and setting up social groups across Wales earned him an MBE in 2001.

Betty is two and a half years old and she will be coming with Peter to the meeting. Betty will be working on the evening. If she is wearing her harness then please don’t pet her.

Get involved

Find out more and support this campaign to make accessible information the norm for all people with a sensory or learning disability in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Come to our launch event on Tuesday, 21 November, 6-8pm, Deafblind UK Conference Centre, Cygnet Rd, Peterborough PE7 8FD.

Share your experience

When you visit health and care services, are you offered information in a format you can understand?  Tell us about your experiences so that services can make information better for you.

0330 355 1285

0752 0635 176 

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