Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

General Medical Council guidance states that all possible efforts must be made to ensure effective communication with patients. This includes arrangements to meet patients’ communication needs in languages other than English.

Where language is a problem in discussing health matters, NHS England’s guidance stipulates that a professional interpreter should always be offered, rather than using family or friends to interpret. NHS England’s guidance for interpreting and translation services in primary care is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/guidance-for-commissioners-interpreting-and-translation-services-in-primary-care/

Working with professional interpreters will:

• Ensure the accuracy and impartiality of the interpreting;
• minimise the legal risk of the misinterpretation of important clinical information, for example informed consent to undergo clinical treatments and procedures;
• minimise the safeguarding risk, for example for victims of human trafficking, where the trafficker may introduce themselves as a family member or friend, and speak on behalf of the patient;
• allow family members and friends to attend appointments and support the patient, emotionally and with decision-making, without the added pressure of needing to interpret; and
• foster trust with the patient.