20 January 2017
“Unsustainable
and unworkable” system blasted by interpreters
The Courier publicised the concerns of a
whistleblower earlier this month alleging the failure of NHS Tayside to
properly care for Dundee’s deaf and hard of hearing community.
The whistleblower, who works closely with people
reliant on the work of interpreters, claimed deaf people regularly attend
medical appointments to find no interpreter present.
It is understood interpreters have become
increasingly frustrated by what they see as NHS Tayside
failings, compounded further by refusal to engage “despite their reliance
on their services to fulfil obligations under the Equalities Act 2010”.
The interpreters, who have asked not to be
named in order to protect their positions, said: “The system is shambolic and
unworkable and unsustainable.
“We’ve told NHS Tayside about our concerns and
nothing has been done.
“People are attending crucial medical appointments
and they’re unable to communicate because there is no interpreter present.
“We read the diversity and inclusion manager’s
statements with interest and are pleased they’re engaging with the EHRC and
local Deaf Community.
“However, despite repeated requests, they have yet
to consult or engage with us to ensure that effective systems are put in
place to ensure that an improved service can be delivered to, and received by,
all interested parties.”
A spokesperson for the National Union of British
Sign Language Interpreters (NUBSLI) said: “The failure of Tayside NHS
Trust to provide British Sign Language interpreters for Deaf patients is a
situation mirrored across the UK.
“This is largely a result of the current
commissioning procedures which allow only for interpreters booked via agencies
or “middle-men”.
“The NHS must meet its responsibilities under the
Equalities Act and work with local interpreters to ensure deaf patients are
always provided a qualified interpreter who is registered with
an appropriate regulatory body.
“NUBSLI is working with Unite legal to challenge
the current commissioning process in order to raise awareness of the risk this
places over the sustainability of the BSL/English interpreting profession and
the provision for deaf and deafblind people.”
Unite regional co-ordinating officer Dougie Maguire
said: “We have been made aware that there are issues in the translation and
interpreting service, and will be working with our members to see how we can
assist.”
NHS Tayside say communication is maintained with
interpreters through the board’s health and deaf action group and that concerns
will be addressed.
NHS Tayside Diversity and Inclusion Manager Santosh
Chima added: “NHS Tayside is committed to the obligations and responsibilities
under The Equality Act 2010.
“Over the next few months, we will be taking
forward a project to review the interpretation and translation services
contract currently outsourced to DTIS (Dundee Translating and Interpreting Service).
“This will allow us to consider other options in
how we deliver and manage interpretation and translation services in the
future.
“As part of this project, we will be involving,
engaging and consulting with a wide range of stakeholders across Tayside,
including interpreters.”
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