In my expereince working as a GP with the Somali community in Liverpool i
think it is very improtant to encourage people as much as possible to learn
english as it is enabling in every way to help them get the best out of the
sytem etc and build up confidence and in fact I do agree that someitimes is
not actively persued enough
However it is also really really not recognised ( in my expereince) how hard
it is to hold consultations with people who have learnt some English and
want to manage without an interpreter. On the one hand this is great and I
fully suppport it. on the other hand to really communicate well takes lots
longer than the ordinary GP has time for in their surgery. I always found it
toook me aobut half an hour to consult with a pateint who had Enlglish as a
second language. We were allocated 20 minute slots when an interpreter was
present ( which we had to fight for) but without an interpreter it was much
ahrder to make the case for a longer consultation time.
This is defintiely not factored into the UK primary care system and I expect
is actually a very common situation.It would be great to see some research
on this.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris McCourt" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2006 8:11 AM
Subject: Re: Interpreting
hi all
I would like to add that in the research I have done, those interviewed
have very much taken this view - they are keen to learn english and
would like more opportunities and encouragement to do so, but they also
consider good interpreting services to be very important for health
care. Being in hospital when you cannot speak the language can be very
frightening and distressing. It is also difficult for staff to provide
good care if they can't communicate effectively.
Perhaps there is a problem though of some professionals being (however
unintentionally) patronising, and assuming people need certain things,
rather than asking them?
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: Health of minority ethnic communities in the UK on behalf of
James Stephen
Sent: Thu 14-Dec-06 11:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Interpreting
Yes, I agree, we need both. They are not exclusive options. Without
interpreters, the NHS cannot deliver safe and effective services to
people
who do not speak English. Without English, people cannot take charge of
their own daily lives in a foreign country. We need to make trade-offs,
but
across the health and education economies as a whole. We don't have to
trade
off interpreting specifically against English classes. The implication
that
the two are in direct competition reflects the false opposition between
'integration' and 'separation' that runs though current political
thought.
Stephen James, Head of Partnerships and Diversity, Ealing Primary Care
Trust, 1 Armstrong Way, Southall, Middlesex UB2 4SA. Tel: 020 8893 0318.
Fax: 020 8893 0398. Email: [log in to unmask]
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