telephone for the deaf.

The hi-tech phone has been installed at the nurses' station in the hospital's emergency department.

Yesterday emergency department unit co-ordinator Kareen Richards said: "We were told there were a number of deaf people on the Island who had these special phones.

"But you need to have a similar one to ask questions, so we got one in so we could accept calls and reply.'' The special telephones have a mini-typewriter and a screen attached. When two are linked up, conversations can be held without anyone having to speak.

That means staff on duty at the emergency department can quiz deaf callers on their symptoms.

Ms. Richards said: "The phone means we can ask, for example, if the caller is suffering chest pain, which could indicate a heart attack.

"If a deaf person was at home by themselves and couldn't move to get help, our phone could definitely be a life-saver.'' The telephone was installed at KEMH after consultation with the Island's Deaf Awareness Association.

Ms Richards said: "All the arrangements were made through them. They were very good and it really opened our eyes to the problems a deaf person could face.'' Mrs. Betty Goodwin, educational officer of the Bermuda Deaf Awareness Association, said the Police and Fire Service have also bought one of the the special phones to handle 911 calls from the deaf and hearing-impaired.

She added: "We have always stressed that things like this are needed by the Police, Fire Service and the hospital.

"The phones are very useful tools. There are a lot of hearing-impaired people who live by themselves.

"The emergency services are the most likely people that a hearing-impaired person would call in a crisis. We're very pleased with the cooperation we have been getting and that people are coming round to helping us out.'' GETTING THE MESSAGE -- KEMH emergency department unit coordinator Kareen Richards with a revolutionary phone which allows emergency department staff to communicate with deaf callers.