Why not use relatives, or bilingual staff?
NSW Health policy is to use professional interpreters. Interpreting is a professional skill. Health Care Interpreters are bilingual, their language and interpreting skills have been tested, they are trained in medical terminology, and they operate under a strict code of professional ethics, which ensures that their services are impartial and confidential. They also attend a number of professional development courses related to interpreting in the health care field including Mental Health for Health Care Interpreters and Interpreting in Specialist Health Care Areas. The use of non-professional interpreters such as relatives, friends, children, or bilingual staff is not only a breach of the official Standard Procedures, but also a breach of the duty of care owed to the patient/client, and could result in legal action. Relatives have an emotional involvement, their language ability is untested, and they are not skilled in medical terminology. The use of relatives to interpret is also brea
