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 NHSGGC. There will be no cost to your service.
For more information on this service, go to HR Connect/Interpreting
Booking a British Sign Language Interpreter (BSL)
To book a BSL Interpreter, contact the NHSGGC Interpreting Service. Patients may have a preferred interpreter that they would like to use for their appointment. This information should be passed on to the Interpreting Service who will make the booking. Wherever possible you should try to book the person or organisation the patient chooses. However, in an emergency situation it may not always be possible to use the patients preferred choice.
Where possible staff should book interpreters in advance of any appointment. In an emergency, or if you require an interpreter within the next 24 hours, please call the booking centre and explain the circumstances.
To view a short film on how best to support our Deaf BSL patients, click here.
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
Telephone: 0141 347 8811
Out of Hours Procedures
Please contact the patient’s preferred agency, if provided, or call 0141 347 8811 to be connected to an appropriate service.
BSL Online Interpreting Service – This service allows staff to communicate with Deaf BSL patients while waiting for a face to face interpreter to arrive. It is particularly useful in emergencies and for unplanned visits and can be used during hospital stays when an interpreter is not yet present. BSL Online is now available at hospital sites across NHSGGC.
Spoken Language Interpreting
For Telephone Interpreting call 0800 004 2000 or download the Capital LiveLINK client 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 & 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
Contact NHSGGC Interpreting Service (8.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 4.00pm, Saturday to Sunday)
Email: interpretingservice@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0141 347 8811
Out of Hours Procedures
Call 0141 347 8811 to be connected to the appropriate service.
Additional Resources
- NHSGGC Interpreting Policy
- How to Access Interpreting Support Wall Chart
- Language identification poster
- Language identification leaflet
Printed copies of the above are available from equality@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Alternative Format / Language Text
As a statutory organisation, we are required to provide information in a format which all our service users can understand. This includes providing information in accessible formats such as audio, Braille, large print and community languages.
Every time a new piece of information is produced or an existing one reviewed, it should at the same time be produced in audio CD, words and pictures, Braille, large print, British Sign Language DVD and in our top five spoken languages (review annually).
We must also respond to any individual patient request for information in any accessible format or language of their choice.
A statement has been produced that should be placed in all leaflets. It states the following in English plus the ‘top six’ community languages (currently Polish, Mandarin, Romanian, Arabic, Urdu and Farsi).
‘If you require this information in an accessible format, such as large print or braille, or in a community language, please use the contact details on your patient information leaflet or letter.’
Ordering as an insert
This insert should be included with appointment letters and pre-attendance information posted to the patient, and can be given to patients on attendance at clinics or on admission. It is supported by posters displayed within hospitals and GP surgeries and is also offered on Solus Screens.
The leaflet is available from stock in packs of 100 and can be ordered via the PECOS system or by any method used to order goods from stock (e.g. paper indent). It is available in 2 formats to suit varying distribution methods – as a single sided A5 sheet or as a one-third A4 sheet (compliments slip format) suitable for DL type envelopes.
Order codes are as follows:
- 97106 – Size 1/3 A4 (compliments slip format)
- 97107 – Size A5
Printing the statement within a publication
If you would like to include the statement in your document (as opposed to using an insert), you can use image 1 (portrait) or image 2 (landscape) and adjust to size.
Other formats
This statement is also available in other formats, including words and pictures, audio and British Sign Language.
Producing Accessible Information & Patient Information
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) produces vast amounts of information, through many routes and in many forms. The task of making all our information accessible, i.e. producing it in various formats (such as large print, audio or braille) and languages, is a very significant challenge.
The purpose of our ‘Clear to All’ Accessible 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.
Staff Resources
Step by Step Staff Guide to Producing Accessible Information – StaffNet site (available on work network only).
Informing Patients of Right to Alternative Format/Language – inserts
Language Identification Card (PDF)
Patient Information
These resources provide the following statement:
‘If you require this information in an accessible format, such as large print or braille, or in a community language, please use the contact details on your patient information leaflet or letter.’
Multi-language version (PDF)
Audio version (MP3)
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)