Language Services

Language Services provides interpreters for all Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients who are treated at the Women’s.

We cater for over 60 languages and have National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) qualified interpreters on our staff for the most frequently spoken languages in our community (Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Turkish, Greek, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Assyrian, Tigrinya, Amharic, Oromo and Japanese).

Clinical inclusion

People who are being treated at the Women’s have access to a face-to-face or telephone Interpreter.

Clinical exclusion

People not being treated at the Women’s.

Frequency

Language Services operates with face-to-face interpreters Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm.

For all other times phone interpreting is used, with the exception of AUSLAN interpreters who are available for face-to-face work at all times (according to availability) through an agency contacted during working hours by the Language Services Department and after hours by the clinician on duty.

Triage

State on the referral if the patient requires an interpreter and what language she speaks. The country of birth sometimes is not indicative of the language spoken.

Referrals and bookings

Please include an interpreter booking request on the registration form and/or on the referral letter.

Urgent requests

For urgent interpreter requests (less than 48 hours notice) contact Language Services on the Direct line (03) 8345 3054.