The aim of the service is to provide a comprehensive and effective Interpreting and Translating Services to ensure equity of access to health services for those patients within whose first language is not English registered with a GP within Nottingham City. Effective management of the Interpreting and Translation service will help improving communication with those whose first language is not English and, avoiding where possible, the need to rely on family members and friends for interpreting through the provision of face-to-face interpretation, the use of the telephone interpreting service and supporting healthcare colleagues to translate information into accessible formats.

The aim of the service is to provide a comprehensive and effective Interpreting and Translating Services to ensure equity of access to health services for those patients within whose first language is not English registered with a GP within Nottingham City. Effective management of the Interpreting and Translation service will help improving communication with those whose first language is not English and, avoiding where possible, the need to rely on family members and friends for interpreting through the provision of face-to-face interpretation, the use of the telephone interpreting service and supporting healthcare colleagues to translate information into accessible formats.

Objectives are:

— to provide an Interpreting and Translation service to GP Practices, including the GP Plus Service in Nottingham City,

— to provide an accurate and confidential interpreting and translation service that adheres to the 4 Principles of the Interpreters Professional Code of Conduct – Honesty and Integrity, Professional Competence, Client Confidentiality and Trust, and Relationships with other members and to comply with the Interpreting Service standards for quality of interpretation,

— demonstrate the existence of clear policies and guidelines around the use of interpreters including training interpreters for working with healthcare professionals,

— demonstrate that interpreters are trained to work with healthcare professionals around breaking significant news to patients whose first language is not English,

— ability to evidence that interpreters have receive training specifically around medical terminology and understand how to translate probing questions and in a culturally acceptable manor,

— establish and maintain trust and confidence between patients and professionals,

— assistance in giving patient / carer the opportunity to convey how they are feeling,

— encourage patients to ask questions and be able to make an informed choice regarding their treatment,

— ensure the understanding of the nature of the health problem, the purpose and the type of treatment,

— awareness of cultural attitudes and beliefs that may exist and which will influence the acceptability and appropriateness of care, whilst being sensitive and respectful to the patients.