Covid-19 initiated major changes in spoken language interpreting services delivery in the UK Public Sector, especially in NHS and medical settings. On-site or face-to-face interpreting was the traditional method of delivering language services, involving all parties — the clinician, the patient and the interpreter — being in the same location.
Pre-pandemic this form of interpreting accounted for the majority of all spoken language interpreting bookings being delivered, with telephone interpreting (TI) and, to a much lower extent, video interpreting (VI) accounting for the remainder.
At the height of the pandemic, these proportions almost reversed with TI and VI in increased demand. Remote interpreting also help reduce travel costs as well as eliminate late arrivals to appointments due to travel issues and is a key option provided the technology is both secure and reliable. But as restrictions are slowly being lifted, more on-site interpreting requests are now being placed.
There will always be a need for on-site interpreting in certain situations within the NHS, for example through our work with Mental Health Trusts nationally, we recognise the importance of having face-to-face interpreters for patients as body language is immensely important when communicating delicate matters. Equally, when breaking bad news to a patient, it may be more appropriate to have an interpreter on-site as opposed to using TI. The situation will, therefore ultimately dictate the most suitable method of delivering the interpreting service needed.
Our 7000 UK-based professional DBS-checked interpreters cover over 200 languages and are fully trained to provide interpreting services on-site and remote, across all platforms used by NHS Trusts including Attend Anywhere and Microsoft Teams.
As well as spoken language interpreters, we increasingly provide communication services to the NHS for deaf and hard of hearing and deafblind communities.
To find out more about both our on-site and remote, spoken and non-spoken interpreting services, please call us on 01635 866888 today or email sales@prestigenetwork.com
