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Interpreting Services for Primary Care across Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark

Translated Coronavirus Advice

Coronavirus advice translated into 60 different languages is available via Doctors of the World

New On-demand Video interpreting for British Sign Language – Coming soon!
The new platform (StarLeaf) will be launched in January 2022 and will allow you access to a BSL interpreter without booking in advance. Please ensure that you have reviewed the guidance and undertaken all practice requirements.

Service information for practice staff

Interpreting services are available to all patients registered with a GP in Lambeth, Lewisham, or Southwark. If you have a patient who requires an interpreter, then you can book a linguist with our service provider DA Languages Ltd.

Guidance and information on how to book a linguist can be found below.

As you are aware, we are still in a pandemic therefore Face-to-Face interpreting should only be used where absolutely necessary and be determined by a clinician based on the patient’s clinical needs.

The following interpreting services are available;

On demand (no booking required)Pre-bookable
Telephone interpreting
On demand video interpreting (spoken languages)
On demand video interpreting (British Sign Language -BSL)		Video interpreting (pre-bookable)
Face-to-Face (pre-bookable)
Translation

As you are aware, we are still in a pandemic therefore Face-to-Face interpreting should only be used where absolutely necessary and be determined by a clinician based on the patient’s clinical needs.

How to guidesServices available – quick guide for practices How to book an interpreter – quick guide summary poster
Telephone interpretingTelephone interpreting – guide and language codes
Telephone interpreting – how to guide (video)
Video interpreting – On demand for spoken languagesOn demand video interpreting (spoken) – how to log in from your computer
On demand video interpreting (spoken)  – 3-way call instructions
On demand video interpreting – How to’ demonstration of the app on video.
BSL Video interpreting – On demand for non-spoken languages (British Sign language)On demand video interpreting – British sign language guidance.
Face to face interpretingFace to face interpreting – booking guide for practices
TranslationPre-bookable translation – booking guide for practices

Located on this page is a library of resources available for your practice to use including ‘how to guides’, video guides and patient leaflets.

It is recommended that information on how a patient can access an interpreter is also made available on GP practice websites for patients to access.

NHS England guidance for the commissioning of interpreting services for primary care highlights principles of best practice for both commissioners and primary care providers. The guidance should be reviewed by all GP practices.

For any questions, queries or for more information please email DA Languages direct on oana.lazar@dalanguages.co.uk and cc in NHS SEL CCG service lead Yvonne Davies (ydavies@nhs.net).

Alternatively please contact your borough based lead;

Lambeth:Tracy Everardteverard@nhs.net
Lewisham:Yvonne Daviesydavies@nhs.net
Southwark:Sarah EvansS.Evans17@nhs.net

If you have any feedback about the interpreting service, please email ydavies@nhs.net.

If a patient has a complaint about the interpreting service, they can report it via their GP practice or email SEL CCG complaints team. This is in accordance with NHS regulations and guidance for managements and complaints