Ben
I agree it is a dilemma but these services are expensive and it is not unreasonable to expect private providers to make a financial contribution. It is they who have the obligation to provide service for private patients not the NHS. Perhaps a fee could be charged for use in private work. It should be straight forward having some system which permits identification of private use. Telephone interpretation services work on the basis of each user having an authorised user code so systems exist for usage tracking.
Regards
Jim Robinson
Equality and Inclusion Facilitator
NHS Lothian University Hospitals Division
Edinburgh
-----Original Message-----
From: Health of minority ethnic communities in the UK
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jones
Benjamin
Sent: 25 April 2005 09:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Monday Morning Moral Dilemma
Morning all
blazing sunshine here in Liverpool, hope the rest of you are similarly blessed.
We are, later this week introducing a variety of services to all Pharmacists, Opticians and Dentists in Liverpool.
These services are
* Face to face interpretation
* Telephone Interpretation
* BSL Interpretation
* Deafblind Interpretation
* Lipspeakers
* Braille transcription
* CD/Cassette Transcription
* Typetalk
However, we have run into a moral dilemma.
Do we make these services available for private work? e.g. do we only allow a dentist to use an interpreter for NHS patients? On the surface this may seem an obvious yes. However, on closer examination it means that we are possibly consigning non-English speakers to metal fillings and thick rimmed indestructible NHS glasses. Is this how the NHS should present itself?
Very happy to hear any opinions.....
b e n
Ben Jones
ATCI Social Inclusion Team
Central Liverpool Primary Care Trust
0151 285 6361
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