Everyday conversations can be a source of great stress for Tracy Lamb.

The mother-of-two was born deaf, and has found sometimes having a simple conversation can be a frustrating experience, especially if the other person has a strong accent, or even a long beard.

Her story is just one of nearly 10,000 people with varying levels of hearing impairment around Kent.

Despite thousands of deaf people living here, none of the county's emergency services record how many of its workforce are trained in sign language.

Kent Police is aware of just one officer and one PCSO being trained in British Sign Language county-wide.

West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group has no records of doctors being trained in sign language, but says practices can book an interpreter in.

Mrs Lamb said: "I'm a fairly good lip reader, but my last doctor had a beard, it was awful.

"Before then I had a Scottish doctor and it was even worse. I was told I could have help with lipspeakers or British Sign Language to help me. But I have such personal encounters with doctors, I don't feel comfortable.

"Plus on the day of my hospital or doctor's appointment, there is never an interpreter."

"I'm a fairly good lip reader, but my last doctor had a beard, it was awful..." Tracy Lamb

An accent's effect on how vowels are pronounced and the speed of talking can impact the quality of lip reading.

Mrs Lamb was born deaf after her mother contracted German Measles during pregnancy.

She has no hearing and cannot speak over the phone.

On the third Saturday of each month she meets with other deaf people at Maidstone Deaf Pub, at the Society Rooms in Maidstone.

Instead she books doctors appointments by visiting the surgery, and contacts 999 via a text service.

The 52-year-old said: "I'd hate to think what would happen if my phone has no signal, the SMS service is also very slow.

"Every emergency service worker should be able to use sign language."

When her husband collapsed at home, the Hawkhurst mum used the SMS service, but struggled to understand how paramedics were helping.

She said: "The medics came and were dealing with my husband and talking to him.

"I was totally unaware of what was happening as I could not hear what they were saying. I wanted to be more involved in what care they were giving my husband, but I felt outcast."

Less than 10 paramedics at Secamb are recorded as trained in BSL.

Like Kent Police, West Kent CCG and Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Secamb does not officially collect BSL training records.

Instead the organisations depend on staff telling them if they have been trained.

"Every emergency service worker should be able to use sign language..." Tracy Lamb

Dr Bob Bowes, Chair of NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "The CCG commissions GP practices to provide suitable services to patients that are accessible to all. This includes those with hearing loss. GP practices will know if a patient has additional access needs and will deliver appropriate services to meet these."

Since 2012, paramedics carry picture books which help communicate and interact with patients and carers.

It is targeted toward people with learning disability, hearing or communication impairment and for people whose first language is not English.

On top of having two sign language trained officers, Kent Police has another initiative to help support deaf people.

The force has 40 'deaf champions', a voluntary role throughout the force for people willing to raise awareness of the issues affecting the deaf community.

Diversity and inclusion manager at Kent Police, Chris Collins said: "They act as a point of contact for other officers and members of staff who may require their assistance. They also seek to identify and remove any potential barriers affecting the ability of deaf people to access our services, and work with the Royal Association for Deaf people and those officers who already have qualifications in British Sign Language to provide interpreters when required."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service had no figures for the number of BSL firefighters.

A spokesperson from KFRS said: "Being able to engage with everyone in our community is a priority for us, and effective communications including the use of sign language, where available, and the provision of alternative ways to contact us in an emergency, form part of that."

Find out more about Maidstone Deaf Pub here tinyurl.com/deafpub.