Working with interpreters

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Working with interpreters

• Dr Paul Williams

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Working with interpreters

• Why do we need to use interpreters?
• How to arrange an interpreter
• What to do during a consultation

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Who needs interpreters?

• People working in UK who dont speak English
• Families of people working/living/resident/nationa
  ls in UK
• People on holiday
• People seeking asylum
• People given refugee status
• Deaf

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Why do we use interpreters

• To ensure equality of access
• Because people are entitled to interpreters
• Its frightening and confusing not to be able to
  communicate
• We cant afford NOT to use interpreters

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Why do we use interpreters?

• Department of health
• For people who do not speak English,
  interpreting is a crucial issue and one of the
  most important factors in relation to accessible
  health care

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Department of Health guidance

• Use of relatives (often children who speak
  English) is not appropriate for discussing
  personal health problems. For similar reasons,
  use of NHS staff with particular language skills
  should only be used when appropriate.
• Emphasise confidentiality in appointments to
  cover yourself and the interpreter.
• In appointments with an interpreter, use simple
  language wherever possible and speak slowly.
• When using an interpreter ensure that
  discussions between yourself and the interpreter
  are interpreted as well otherwise the client
  may feel alienated.

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Who are interpreters?

• Everyday Language Solutions
• Middlesbrough Council
• Language Line

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Hierarchy of quality

• 10 Face-to-face professional
• 6 Telephone professional
• 5 Member of staff with interpreting skills
• 2 Friend
• 1 Family member

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Cost

• North Tees PCT pays for all costs associated
  with using interpreters
• The costs of not using interpreters include
  confusion, poor communication, missed
  appointments and discrimination

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Good practice

• Record the need for an interpreter and the
  language that a person speaks clearly in the
  notes
• Take responsibility it is the duty of
  healthcare providers to provide an interpreter
• Pass on information to others

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What to expect from an interpreter?

• Arrive early (or inform you if they are running
  late)
• Be smartly dressed
• Be polite
• Inspire confidence
• Interpret, not translate
• Interpret, not advocate

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Using an interpreter

• Do
• Consider if the interpreter is acceptable to the
  patient
• Arrange chairs so that everyone can see each
  other

• Dont
• Be too pushed for time
• Use complex sentences or double negatives

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Using an interpreter

• Do
• Introduce yourself to the patient and
  interpreter
• Talk directly at the patient and use the first
  person

• Dont
• Have private conversations with the interpreter
• Forget to listen actively when the patient is
  talking

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After the session

• The interpreter can add value by befriending and
  practically helping the patient
• Feed back any positive or negative issues to the
  interpreter or provider
• Acknowledge difficult issues

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Useful links

• Department of Health resource pack Caring for
  dispersed Asylum Seekers www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/
  04/05/09/15/04050915.pdf
• Translated appointment letters www.communicate-hea
  lth.org.uk

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Questions and discussion