Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities

• Improving the Quality of Palliative Care

For further information see the Black and Minority Ethnic contacts below.

Interpreters. Some patients and service users may experience difficulties in communicating with their healthcare professional because English is not their first language or because they use Sign Language. Interpreters play a vital role in helping to overcome these barriers.

Every patient has the right to understand what is being said to them about their diagnosis and treatment. Interpreters should be available to all service users who need one.

Spoken language and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters are trained professionals who provide a confidential and impartial service. The role of the interpreter is to act as an aid to communication. They will transfer the meaning of what is being said during a conversation between the two parties and will not give advice or take on the role of advocate. They will not give an opinion on what is being discussed and they will not divulge the content of the conversation or consultation to anyone.

If you are someone who is using health and social care services in Leeds, or are caring for someone who uses these services, and you need help to communicate with the health and social care professionals, ask your service provider to book an interpreter for your appointment.

If you are healthcare provider needing to book an interpreter to help you communicate with your patient, your organisation will have access to a provider of interpreting services and this information should be available to you from your manager.