NHS translation service defended

INSTALLING a video conferencing translation service in Grampian hospitals would cost millions of pounds, according to a health board official.

NHS Grampian equality and diversity manager Nigel Firth said the move proposed by Multi-ethnic Aberdeen Ltd (MeAL) would provide an “inferior” service in comparison to the one in place.

He added that Language Line, a telephone interpretation service which gives staff constant access to expert interpreters fluent in more than 120 different languages, was sufficient.

Mr Firth spoke out after MeAL appealed to the Scottish Parliament’s public petitions committee to ask NHS Grampian to do more to cater for people who speak unusual languages to ensure they gain access to speedy treatment.

Project co-ordinator Godfrey Joseph claims the move would be a faster and more efficient method of communicating and would help alleviate anxiety and stress for patients.

Mr Firth said he and his colleagues believed they provided “one of the best, if not the best” NHS interpretation and translation services in Scotland.

“The petitioner suggests that NHS Grampian should consider using a video link for remote interpretation,” he stated in a written submission to the committee.

“We feel that this would give an inferior service to the current service because the video screen would become the focus.

“In addition, to get a smooth and flowing picture with a video link, we would require an ISDN eight quality of line at 512 Kbps speed.

“This would cost millions of pounds to provide across NHS Grampian.”

The committee investigation is continuing.