"How to" guides

Language Line provide interpreting services for NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board and are a ‘one stop shop’ for all interpreting services, including face-to-face and British Sign Language as well as a translation service.

Interpreting

It is important that considerations are made to how we can best engage or communicate with our whole population. For an engagement event or meeting an interpreter is often the best solution. However, this is not always the case and sometimes not practical especially if you are looking to interpret more than one language.

This section aims to set out important things to consider. You can seek further and specific advice from the ICB engagement team ddicb.engagement@nhs.net

When to book an interpreter

In short, when you identify the need for one or are told one is required. With the increase in use of digital resources many people are now able to join meetings or events online which has changed the way in which many meetings are set up. However, it must be remembered that for any engagement event or public meeting you should always understand your target audience and any communication needs but also ask if anyone has any additional needs/requirements that you may not be aware of. This could include but not limited to hearing issues. There is a duty to respond to those needs if they are reasonable. This is called a reasonable adjustment.

You can book an interpreter to support an online meeting and this is frequently done for British Sign Language. However, it only works well interpreting one language at a time.

Top tip: If you know that you need to speak to a specific group of people who may have a need for an interpreter then you should consider whether going out to see people in their own community would be a better solution. This could engage a larger group and gain more feedback.

The ICB engagement team can support you to understand the best way to engage.

Important things to consider

If an interpreter is required, then you need to give as much notice as possible to ensure that an interpreter can be sourced.

It is always best practice, and essential, that you share any meeting papers or presentations before the event so the interpreter can prepare. These can be shared after the booking has been sorted but usually with a minimum of a weeks’ notice.

You need to communicate in short bursts to allow the interpreter to keep up with what you are saying. Keep an eye on the interpreter to ensure they are keeping up. Ask your interpreter for advice.

Try to speak as clearly and as loudly as possible without shouting and do not cover your face. People have a range of communication needs including lip reading. If there is a microphone and sound system always use it. It may not be your thing to hold a microphone but remember that this is a massive help to those with hearing issues.

Focus on the person/people you are talking to not the interpreter. Some people may be able to lip read what you are saying or may move between watching you and the interpreter.

How to book an interpreter

If you have identified a need for an interpreter and had a chat with the engagement team to check out your approach then you need to contact ddicb.lcsf@nhs.net who will provide you with further instruction including how to book.

Translation

The translation of information from English into another language is an important resource to have but it is not always the answer to a communication need. Before you plan on translation there are some questions that you need to consider.

What do you need to communicate?
How complex is the messaging?
Are there existing translated materials- very likely if standard NHS information
Who do you need to communicate it with? Utilise prevalence data or service usage to understand who you need to target.
Do you understand how the people you need to target communicate? Do they read the language they speak? What is their health literacy level?
Would a simple easy read version work?

If having read the points above and you feel translation is what is needed, then download and complete the form below. Once complete, return it to ddicb.communications@nhs.net and a member of the team will be in touch to support your request.