A lack of professional interpreting services in the NHS is under the spotlight again. This time, it’s due to a recent court case involving an employee at a north London hospital and an alleged organ harvesting plot.
It’s fair to say most instances don’t have such ominous undertones. But truthfully, patients who are unable to participate in reasonable two-way communication are at risk of adverse upshots, such as:
- Misdiagnosis
- Incorrect treatment
- Inappropriate care
- Breakdown in trust and / or a sense of disempowerment, leading to poorer health outcomes
What’s more, patients exposed to the risks of avoidable harm might suffer from adverse health outcomes, need prolonged hospital stays, and even require further medical interventions. This not only has a direct impact on patient health and wellbeing. Additionally, it also places even more unnecessary strain on the NHS or other healthcare resources.
For these reasons, professional medical interpreters have the potential to justify significant ROI.
Premier Medical Interpreting for Patients, Public and Private Healthcare Providers
Professional and reliable interpreting services make meaningful differences. For example:
- Emergency Interpreting in Hospitals – Trustworthiness is key in medical interpreting, where errors can have serious or even fatal consequences. On top of that, an air of calm and reassurance is essential for interpreters in this field. After all, they’re likely to be party to highly confidential and sensitive conversations.
- Interpreting at Appointments – Medical appointments can be worrying for all patients, and even more so where language barriers exist. To this end, an interpreter ensures both the medical specialist and the patient are clearly understood.
At Accutranslate, we’re proud to provide professional medical interpreting services, enabling all patients to access safe and effective healthcare, regardless of their language ability. By doing so, we can help reduce risks and support the best health outcomes for patients across the UK. Get in touch to find out more.