An interpreting service is available free of charge for patients using GP and NHS Hospital Services in England. This includes interpreting for people who are deaf or deaf/blind.
Interpreting services are available to all our patients if they require them via “Languageline Solutions”.
We offer this service on the telephone or in person but we do need to know in advance of any appointment you may have, if this is required.
If you have a hearing problem , we have BSL interpreters available for meetings and consultations.
We also have a surgery specific mobile telephone whereby patients with hearing problems can contact the practice via SMS message during business hours.
British sign language is a language in its own right and as with verbal interpreting, our interpreters abide by a strict code of ethics, covering impartiality, accuracy and confidentiality.
The BSL interpreters we work with have passed their NVQ level 4 and will be registered with the NRCPD (National Registers for Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People). BSL interpreters are CRB checked.
For sign language bookings, we ask for as much notice as possible.
We do not allow children to act as interpreters during your treatment or appointments.
A member of the Team from the Practice or the Hospital Department dealing with your treatment or appointment will arrange the interpreter. To make sure we can support you effectively we need you to do certain things so please do let us know you need interpreting help as soon as possible. Preferably, this should be as soon as you make an appointment with your GP.
- If you are going into Hospital, contact the Ward or Department to let them know you need an interpreter, as soon as you receive your Hospital appointment. You may need a friend or relative who speaks English to tell us that you need an interpreter, the first time.
- Be sure to let us know if you will not be coming for your appointment or treatment. If you do not tell us you might stop another patient getting the help they need.
- Be sure to tell us if you will be late for your appointment or treatment. Another patient somewhere else might need the interpreter. If you are late the next patient might miss their appointment or not get the help they need.
- Let us know if you have had any problems with communication during your appointment or treatment. This will help us improve the service.
- Tell us if communication was good. This also helps us provide a good service.