If English is not your first language, good communication with your doctor is part of safe care. UK government guidance for the health service says NHS providers should make interpreting and translation available to patients free at the point of delivery, and that a professional interpreter should always be offered rather than relying on family or friends.
Why not a relative or a child?
A relative may leave things out, add their own views or find some questions embarrassing, and you may not want them to hear everything. The same guidance says it is inappropriate to use children as interpreters. A professional interpreter is impartial, interprets everything that is said and keeps it confidential.
What NHS England’s guidance says
NHS England’s 2018 guidance on interpreting in primary care, such as GP surgeries, sets out some clear principles. Patients should not be asked to pay for interpreting or to bring their own interpreter. You can say whether you would prefer a male or a female interpreter. And needing an interpreter should not mean waiting unnecessarily longer for an appointment. You may also need an interpreter to book, cancel or move appointments, and to understand appointment letters.
How to ask for an interpreter
- Tell the GP practice or hospital that you need an interpreter when you book.
- Name the language exactly: Kurdish (Sorani), Farsi or Dari.
- Ask for an interpreter of a particular gender if that matters to you, for example at a maternity appointment.
- Ask for a longer appointment if possible, as interpreted consultations take more time.
GP practices and hospitals usually book interpreters through their own interpreting services, in person, by phone or by video. If you are not offered one, you can ask.
Common questions
Do I have to pay for an NHS interpreter?
No. UK government guidance says NHS interpreting and translation should be free at the point of delivery, and NHS England’s guidance says patients should not be asked to pay for it.
Can a family member interpret if I want them to?
Guidance says a professional interpreter should always be offered first. If you still prefer a friend or relative, the decision should be recorded, and you should be asked to confirm it without that person present. Children should not be used as interpreters.
Can I ask for a face-to-face interpreter?
You can ask. Interpreting can be face to face, by phone or by video, and the guidance recognises that some situations need one form rather than another. Explain why it matters to you, for example for a sensitive or complicated appointment.
Are letters and leaflets translated too?
Guidance says written health information that patients usually receive in English should be translated where needed, at no cost to the patient, and that automatic tools such as Google Translate should be avoided in healthcare.