treAtinG non-enGliSH SpeAKerS
treating
non-english speakers
gps are at the forefront of the cultural melting the GMc says
pot, treating an increasing number of non-english in their guide on valuing
diversity, the gMc
speakers. Sara Williams explores how to overcome says that: “the Human
rights act 1998 and
the difficulties this presents other legislative changes
such as the disability
discrimination act 1995
t
he structure and effectively with a patient, as communicating with new (as amended) provide
make-up of the how can they consent to patients. the first step for a strong case for the
uK population is and receive treatment? locum gps is to realise that provision of effective
changing, and this brings communication is a this is a particularly sensitive communications
challenges to the nHs, and core skill in delivering area and to tread carefully. in hospitals, in the
can place a strain on gp safe healthcare and community and
practices. in 2001, 8% of medicolegally it is arguably being human in gp practices.
the uK population were born the most important area of course, it is about more Wherever possible,
overseas, and by 2006 this of risk. every day, Mps than the spoken word. communications should
had risen to almost 10%. deals with cases where Human interaction is a be provided in languages
practices are at the forefront a complaint or claim was mixture of different gestures, and formats appropriate
of this cultural melting pot; triggered by a breakdown actions and words. Body to the patient group.”
2
serving an increasingly in communication, even language varies from
diverse patient population when the care given was person to person and from
requires practices to keep sound. these dangers are culture to culture. cultural colloquial phrase” in english
on their toes to tackle the magnified where those factors may, for instance, means. consultations can
range of languages and involved in a consultation strongly influence the be complicated by many
cultures that contribute to have different language skills. expected roles of different misunderstandings.
the fabric of the country. this is particularly members of the family for gps this is a growing
these population changes challenging for locum gps unit. even when speaking challenge. Mps has received
bring real challenges for as they have to tackle the english, patients may have a number of calls from
sessional gps; if you new environment of every a different understanding clinicians about these issues.
cannot communicate practice they work in as well of what a “familiar or to date the calls have mainly
been for advice or following
a complaint, and there are
no clear cases that have led
to direct harm to the patient,
and a subsequent claim. in
a perfectly resourced world,
a professional interpreter
would be the ideal solution.
studies have shown that
the use of professional
interpreters improves care
Y
r
for patients with limited
a
r
B
english proficiency. patients
l
i
who rate their translator
t
o
o
H
highly are more likely to rate
e
p
c
their healthcare highly.
n
i
e
Yet around the uK, the
c
s
provision of and access to
e
t
/
e
n these services is inconsistent.
s
s
a
and there are a multitude
H
c of different languages to
22 sessional gp | voluMe 1 | 2009 www.mps.org.uk
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