Translators needed in UK GP surgeries say researchers

Professional interpreters are under-used in the NHS according to new research from the University of Birmingham. The researchers identify language barriers as an increasing obstacle to the provision of healthcare in a paper published in the journal PLoS ONE . Effective communication is instrumental in the delivery of healthcare support and a cross-sectional study of 41 general practices in the UK highlights language disparities between patients and healthcare professionals. This is seen as restrictive to the delivery of successful treatment and medical advice which can impact a patient's understanding of their condition and treatment. The study identifies clear potential for miscommunication in very sensitive and often confusing circumstances and calls for healthcare professionals to follow the American model of deploying professional interpreters more frequently to eliminate language barriers. Current NHS policy acknowledges the linguistic needs of patients and their families by offering interpreting services to all health professionals in a wide range of languages, but this research suggests these resources are being under-used. Lead author, Paramjit Gill, a reader in Primary Care Research at the University of Birmingham's School of Health and Population Sciences, explains: "There is a need for greater provision of interpreters in the UK as clinicians are ultimately responsible for ensuring effective communication with their patients and in improving patient care and safety.