NHS England has published an improvement framework for community language translation and interpreting services.

As part of the framework the NHS notes: 

1 million people in the UK are unable to speak English well, or at all. People who speak little or no English are more likely to be in poor health, have a greater likelihood of experiencing adverse events and of developing life-threatening conditions and tend to have poorer access to and experiences of healthcare services than people who don’t have language barriers.They can struggle at all points of their journeys through healthcare.

Translation and interpreting services for community languages are inconsistent across the NHS. Support for them by NHS commissioners, national programmes and NHS trusts is variable and the lack of high quality, appropriate and accessible services is stopping people from engaging with the healthcare they need. 

NHS organisations, including commissioners and trusts, have legal duties to provide accessible and inclusive health communications for patients and the public. These include requirements under the Equality Act 2010 and the NHS Act 2006, as amended by the 2022 Act.

CIOL welcomes this framework and will work with the NHS to support its implemention.