Staff Guidelines for Working with Interpreters

Clarification of Terminology:  

Interpreting - Transfer of the spoken word from one language into another

Translation - Transfer of the written word from one language into another

Sight Translation - The interpreter gives an oral translation of a text - leaflet

Minority Ethnic languages - Languages spoken by minority ethnic groups

Information needed to book an interpreter:

•  Name / Language (Dialect) of the Patient/Client 
•  Name and role of practitioner and HSS contact person 
•  Day, date, time and probable duration of the appointment  
•  Exact location of the appointment  
•  The General Nature of the appointment 
•  Name / Language (Dialect) of the Patient/Client 
•  Name and role of practitioner and HSS contact person 
•  Day, date, time and probable duration of the appointment  
•  Exact location of the appointment  
•  The General Nature of the appointment  
  
  

Email completed Interpreter Booking Form to interpreting@belfasttrust.hscni.net 

You can download a blank booking form below 

PLEASE EMAIL BOOKING FORM AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT

WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR INTERPRETERS?

• Ethical Case  

• Business Case   

• Legal Case

INTERPRETERS: THE ETHICAL CASE 

Not providing Interpreters means a significant proportion of minority ethnic groups do not have access to the same services in the same way as the rest of the population
 
The Ethical Case can also be illustrated by the potential consequences of not providing an Interpreter. In the worse-case scenario misdiagnosis or misunderstanding could seriously aggravate an illness, or cause the death of a patient
 
“ I never realised my husband would die. I thought he would get better. Maybe the Doctor told me many, many times but I did not understand”

• There is a strong business case for supplying Interpreters as costs are quickly recovered in the medium term
• Communication barriers prolong appointments, take up more staff time, can lead to potential for misdiagnosis, misunderstanding and non-consent to examination, treatment or care

• There are cases of persons who were not provided with Interpreters returning to see their GP on numerous occasions and going through various treatments until their condition was addressed

INTERPRETERS: THE LEGAL CASE 

“The Race Relations (NI) Order 1997 places a legal duty on the way in which establishments provide their services… failing to provide interpreting facilities in relation to service provision, when it is known that there is a language barrier, could be construed as unlawful racial discrimination.”

Refusing to provide an Interpreter leaves Health and Social Services Organisations open to litigation

THE DANGERS OF USING UNTRAINED INTERPRETERS

Interpreting is a specific skill and profession. Using an untrained person as an 'Interpreter' is bad practice and can be dangerous.

Dangers of using untrained Interpreters include: 

• Lack of fluency in English or the other Language
• Inaccurate Interpreting/lack of Interpreting Skills
• No obligation to maintain confidentiality, honesty and impartiality
• Lack of knowledge in the subject matter and terminology
• Possible misuse of trust, power and information 
• Conflict of Interests 
   

The role of a Community Interpreter: a summary 

• “Facilitate communication with appropriate cultural sensitivity' 
• To be bilingual and to know how to interpret
• To interpret accurately
• To be impartial
• To maintain confidentiality
• Resist the temptation to speak for the patient
• To clarify cultural issues
• To be aware of cultural or circumstantial issues
• To challenge incidents of racism or discrimination
• To signpost client/patients  

PREPARING FOR COMPLEX SESSIONS  

THE PRE-INTERVIEW SESSION

• Recommended for more complex / specific appointments 
• Gives Practitioner opportunity for presenting factual information about the case and context
• Gives the Practitioner/Interpreter opportunity to clarify terminology, procedures, forms to be filled in
• Opportunity to discuss cultural information – but without stereotyping
• Try not to give opinions that could affect the Interpreters impartiality 

THE INTERPRETING SESSION

·         Allow time for introductions

·         Seating – Sit in triangle layout 

                                        Practitioner  

     Patient/Client                                                 Interpreter 

• Speak clearly
• Speak directly to the Patient – not to the Interpreter
• Avoid using double negatives, ambiguous phrases and unnecessary jargon
• Let the interpreter take notes    

HOW TO ARRANGE AN INTERPRETER 

Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm:

Tel: 028 90563794  

Email Interpreter Booking Form to NIHSSIS

interpreting@belfasttrust.hscni.net   

Out of Hours: 

Call the Out of Hours Centre  

Tel: 028 9056 3794 

TRANSLATION LINKS

Appointment Card/Translation Letters   

http://www.nnt.nhs.uk/asylum/translated.asp?PageName=letters   

http://www.communicate-health.org.uk/card/ 

INTERPRETING TRAINING 

If you wish to apply for the Conversion Course or the NIHSSIS, Community Interpreting Certificate OCN Level 3.  The application form can be downloaded below and returned to the NIHSSIS office. 

NIHSSIS   

 Health & Social Inequalities Team 

1st Floor Graham House 

Knockbracken Healthcare Park 

Saintifield Road 

Belfast 

BT8 8BH