Interpreting services

Please ask to use our interpreting service if you want to use a language other than English, including sign language, to speak with your doctor or healthcare professional.

24/7 telephone interpreting

Telephone interpreting is available to support you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You do not need to request this service before your appointment. At the start of your appointment, tell your healthcare profession which language you want. They will then ring an interpreter immediately.

You can also contact us before your appointment to ask for an interpreter. Please ring the number on your appointment letter.

Face-to-face interpreting, if you have an in-person appointment

If you have a face-to-face appointment, you can ask for an interpreter to be in the room with you. If you want an interpreter in the room with you, please tell us as soon as possible by ringing the number on your appointment letter.

If there isn’t enough time to book the interpreter, we might have to use telephone interpreting instead (please read the paragraph above).

Video interpreting, if you have an in-person or video appointment

We also offer video interpreting. You can have a secure video call, with your healthcare professional and an interpreter. This means everyone can see and hear each other clearly.

If you want a video interpreter, please ask for one as soon as possible. Ring the number on your appointment letter to do this.

If there isn’t enough time to book the interpreter, we might have to use telephone interpreting instead (please read the paragraph above).

British Sign Language (BSL)

We support deaf , and hard of hearing patients with professional interpreters who can offer BSL interpreting, lip reading or other sign language interpreting.

Please request a sign language interpreter at least 10 working days before your appointment. If you have less than 10 working days before your appointment, please contact us anyway – we will do our best to arrange an interpreter. Please ring the number on your appointment letter.