25 Abril 2019
'There’s never been a translator at the hospital, so I have to be there
to do it'
New research from the charity says BAME young
carers in England are missing out on their childhoods because of the additional
responsibilities and stresses they have to deal with.
Barnardo’s research, based on interviews with
BAME young carers and practitioners found:
Many young south Asian carers were far too often being relied upon as
interpreters, relaying technical and deeply personal medical information
between patients and doctors, which can lead to misdiagnosis and increased
anxiety within families.
[…]
The
‘Caring Alone’ report highlights how young carers like 19-year-old Neha
Lathia suddenly had to care for both parents, and her two siblings, Priyanka
and Dev while studying for her A-levels.
She
said: “I have to translate at most hospital appointments. There’s never been a
translator at the hospital, so I have to be there to do it. And sometimes a
word simply doesn’t exist in Gujarati, so I have to try and find another word
or explain some other way.
[…]
“It’s not right that BAME young carers often
have to interpret complicated medical information for a loved one, which can
lead to misdiagnosis and cause additional stress.
“This group of vulnerable children are often
“hidden”, and there is an urgent need to break down barriers so they are not
left to struggle on their own. “
