Spoken Language Interpreters in Health Services: Newcastle and Gateshead

Do you know your rights around asking for an interpreter in health settings such as the GP, hospitals and with the emergency services? Connected Voice Haref has developed a leaflet in collaboration with health services to help people know how and where to ask for an interpreter when accessing different health services.

This leaflet contains information about primary care and secondary care settings, how to seek support, and how to complain if an interpreter is not provided. The information about each service was provided in consultation with that service or with commissioners.

The leaflet contains information about:

• How to request an interpreter at different NHS services
• Who to contact if you need more help
• How to complain if a health service doesn't give you an interpreter

This initial leaflet is better suited to practitioners and organisations supporting people.

With feedback from our Haref Network, we will develop the leaflet in different languages, and we will be working with Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to apply for funding to do this.

We are aware that not all of the services mentioned in the resource consistently provide interpreters. This is why it is important to know how to seek support, and how to complain if one is not provided.

Please contact haref@connectedvoice.org.uk for any questions or comments