About Us
IDA has been created by Dr Natasha Wilcock, a deaf doctor. She graduated from UCL with a medical degree and integrated BSc in Paediatrics and Child Health. She founded IDA Training driven by her own experiences as a deaf patient and doctor and is passionate about inclusive, accessible healthcare.
Using front-line clinical experience and a wide evidence base, IDA delivers specialist clinical skills training in line with GMC, NMC and other professional bodies requirements to improve clinicians knowledge, competence and confidence with deaf people interacting with health services.
Our founder Dr Natasha Wilcock gave a TEDXNHS talk in 2024 “Moving beyond deaf awareness to deaf insight”. The talk explored why deaf insight is a critical subject for all healthcare providers and real life examples of its impact.
1 in 4 UK adults are deaf, rising to 80% of those over 70, which represents a huge proportion of not only the patient population but also staff in the health service. However, deaf patients, staff and others interacting with health services often face discriminatory behaviour, inaccessible communication and poor access.
IDA is delivered by deaf clinicians with lived experience of deafness and a front-line understanding of working in the health service. IDA engages candidates through interactive and relevant teaching, to equip them with the knowledge and skills to support deaf people interacting with the health service and provide access.
The training we deliver relates to the legal and professional requirements set out by the Equality Act, 2010 and professional bodies including the General Medical Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council and the NHS Accessible Information Standard, 2016.
Hundreds of healthcare professionals and students have received our training so far. Bespoke packages can be offered for departments, Foundation trusts, training programmes and other health services.
Contact us.
If you would like to find out more or book a training session for your team or organisation, please contact us.