Why do we need to improve the quality of interpretation and translation services?

We know that people who have difficulty in communicating their health issues and needs to primary care providers because of language barriers, including because they are d/Deaf, have worse health outcomes.

Providing high quality interpretation and translation services is an important part of ensuring that patients receive the right care, with informed consent, and have improved health outcomes.

NHS England is reviewing how patients who are Deaf or do not speak English as a first language, use interpreting services so they can access the best care and information.

To achieve this, we will engage with those patients so we can articulate what a good quality service looks like.

North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) with support from University of Manchester (SORD – Social Research with Deaf people) and Education Partnerships UK/Trescom (for community/spoken languages) will with NHS England facilitate the co-production of a set of quality standards with patients and clinicians which, when implemented will help to ensure that we reduce health inequalities in primary care settings.

Quality Standards of Interpreting Services in Primary Care Briefing  (pdf)

For further information or to participate in the review please contact: interpreting@nhs.net