Interpreters and Translation

NHS Forth Valley actively encourages the promotion of equal access to its services by fully acknowledging the personal, religious, linguistic and cultural needs of patients and their families.

The interpreting services provided aims to provide a high quality professional interpreting service that is appropriate, acceptable and accessible.

This is achieved by using carefully screened qualified and experienced interpreters who offer their services in a wide range of languages on a strictly confidential basis. We work to ensure that people are not disadvantaged because of language or communication difficulties.

Why do I need an interpreter?

If your first language is not English, if you use BSL or other forms of communication then you might find it difficult to access health services. You might also find it difficult to discuss your health needs with a health professional. We do not recommend that you ask a family member or friend to interpret for you. Doing so could compromise your confidentiality or the accuracy of the information given by the health professional.

What will the interpreter do?

The interpreters that we use have accredited qualifications to provide word-for-word interpretation between patients and health professionals. They are committed to a code of ethics, which includes maintaining the confidentiality of the patient.

Our interpreting service guarantees that:

• People with various communications needs have access to the service.
• Health services are responsive to the needs of service users.
• There is a good understanding between service users and health professionals.

We offer a range of interpreter services to service users including:

• Face to Face Interpreting
• Language Line Telephone Interpreting.
• British Sign Language interpreting - NHS Forth Valley Guidance For Using & Accessing BSL Interpreters
• Note takers
• Deaf/blind manual
• lip-speakers

Health in my Language

NHS Forth Valley Interpreter Policy (pdf, 42k)

Health Rights Information Scotland (HRIS)

Health Rights Information Scotland (HRIS) was established in 2003. It is a project based within Consumer Focus Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government Health Directorates.

• They produce nationally relevant information about patients' health rights and about the health services that are available from the NHS. The information they produce is made available to NHS organisations across Scotland.
• They have produced information for a wide variety of people, including the general public, young people and carers.
• Their information is available in a number of formats including audio and other languages to meet the needs of as many people as possible. You can find out more about the range of information they produce in the patient information section.
• They also provide advice and assistance to other organisations that produce patient information. You can find out more about this in the professionals section

HRIS: http://www.hris.org.uk/about-us/