Interpreting Services – British Sign Language (BSL) and Spoken Language Interpreters
It is the responsibility of NHSGGC staff to provide an interpreter for patients attending any of our healthcare services.
Please note that the provision of interpreters is paid for directly by the NHSGGC interpreting service. There will be no cost to your local service for this.
For more information on this service, go to HR Connect page for Interpreting services.
Booking a British Sign Language Interpreter (BSL)
NHSGGC has an ethical and legal responsibility to provide BSL interpreters to support effective and safe communication with Deaf patients who are BSL users.
It is important to note that family members should not be used as interpreters.
Interpreting support must be provided as follows –
All services must book BSL Interpreters for any scheduled outpatient appointments where we know the patient requires this support.
For an inpatient –
- on admission – planned or unplanned
- on transfer – between wards or Acute receiving to in-patient ward
- on discharge
- at doctors’ rounds – every day
- at significant nurse interventions
- for pre and post-surgery
- for the entire period of labour in Maternity
- for all ED assessments – including triage
BSL Interpreting support must also be provided at least once per day for Deaf BSL inpatients to allow questions and answers regarding their care.
Out with this time, Deaf BSL inpatients must have access to BSL Online interpreting support for any care needs that arise. Do not make assumptions about how well a Deaf BSL patient understands spoken or written communication. Information could be missed or misunderstood and the patient put at risk.
Where a BSL interpreter is unavailable or the situation is unplanned or an emergency, staff must access BSL online interpreting support. The BSL Online service can be easily accessed by any available device, such as the ward iPad or any mobile phone, using the QR code.
If you are aware of any barriers that might restrict the use of BSL Interpreting in your patient area, we want to hear from you.
Out of Hours Procedures
NHSGGC Interpreting Service (8.00am until 6.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.00am until 4.00pm Saturday to Sunday)
- E-mail: interpretingservice@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
- Call: 0141 347 8811
Outwith these hours, please contact the patient’s preferred agency, if provided, or call 0141 347 8811 to be connected to an appropriate service.
You can also access the BSL Online Interpreting Service which is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This service allows staff to communicate with Deaf BSL patients while waiting for a face to face interpreter to arrive.
Telephone Interpreting
Telephone interpreting is available24 hours a day 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling or using the app.
For more information on this service, go to HR Connect/Interpreting
Direct Patient Access Telephone Interpreting
Patients can now access the telephone interpreting service to contact any NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde service.
For example, patients can use the telephone interpreting service to call from home and make an appointment with their GP, discuss medications with their Pharmacy or book a Maternity appointment.
An information leaflet is available in multiple languages. It explains how to use the service by calling or by using a mobile app and provides patient codes specific to NHSGGC services.
Booking a Face to Face Interpreter
To request a face to face interpreter please click here
For same day/next day requests and cancellations please call 0141 347 8811.
The phone lines are open from 8.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.00am – 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday.
Additional Resources
- NHSGGC Interpreting, Communication Support and Translation Policy
- How to Access Interpreting Support Wall Chart
- Language identification poster
- Language identification leaflet
- Accessing British Sign Language Support – Staff leaflet
- NHSGGC Interpreting Quick Guide
- Guide to British Sign Language Interpreting Service – Primary Care
Printed copies of the above can be provided by emailing equality@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Accessible Information Statement and Language Icon
NHSGGC is required by law to provide information in a format which all our service users can understand. This includes providing information in accessible formats such as such as large print, easy read, audio or braille, as well as any spoken language and British Sign Language,
It is vital that we let our patients know that they can request any of our information in the language or accessible format of their choice.
Accessible Information Statement
The following statement should be included in all patient communication including appointment letters, pre-attendance information and leaflets –
If you require this information in an accessible format, such as large print, easy read, audio or braille, as well as any spoken language and British Sign Language, please use the contact details on your patient information leaflet or letter.
The Clear to All Language Icon should be used alongside the accessible language and formats statement to promote and link to the statement in other spoken languages.
Various versions of the language icon, both in mono and colour are available below. All can be inserted into –
- printed materials – using default version with QR code linking to Information in other languages – NHSGGC
- digital communications – using language icon image only and hyperlinking to information in other languages web page as above.
Clear to All Language Icon
The language icon is an easily applied and flexible way to highlight the availability of any spoken language translations on all communications and resources.
The icon should be used –
- Alongside the accessible language and formats statement to promote and link to the statement in other spoken languages (as above)
- To promote and link to the translated general statement on how to obtain information in other languages, including instructions on how to use telephone interpreting
The icon can also be used alongside your own QR code, linking to a web page with your specific translated campaign messages or resources. To do this, simply use the version of the icon with the blue arrow and place your QR code next to this.
The images below can be adjusted to the size required. When placing in your letter or resource, please ensure that the icon appears large enough for the language names to be clear and legible.
Simply right click on the image, copy and paste to your document. When pasted, click on the image and use the corner circles to adjust the size.
Language Icon and QR Code with URL and Blue Arrow
Language Icon and QR Code in Mono with URL and Black Arrow
Language Icon with Blue Arrow
Language Icon in Mono Black with Black Arrow
Language Icon No Arrow
Language Icon in Mono Black No Arrow
Other formats
The accessible information statement is also available in other formats, including words and pictures, audio and British Sign Language.
Words and pictures version – English (PDF)
Words and pictures version – Arabic (PDF)
Words and pictures version – Simplified Chinese (PDF)
Words and pictures version – Polish (PDF)
Producing Accessible Patient Information – other formats and languages
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) produces vast amounts of information. The task of making this information accessible to all is a significant challenge but is vitally important in ensuring every patient fully understands and can be involved in the care they are receiving.
The purpose of our ‘Clear to All’ Accessible Health Information Policy is to make sure there is a consistent, accurate and clear approach to providing accessible information to patients and members of the public.
Information can be produced in the format that best meets the patient’s needs. For example, this could be large print, easy read, audio or braille. It can also be translated into any spoken language and British Sign Language.
Requesting translations and other formats
Information in other languages or formats can be accessed via the Clear to All service.
Staff Resources
Step by Step Staff Guide to Producing Accessible Information
Informing Patients of Right to Alternative Format/Language inserts – see Alternative Formats/Languages section above.