The communities we serve have a vibrant and remarkably diverse population.
All our service users or their carers have the right to effective communication in a form, language and manner that enables them to understand the information provided. Where necessary and reasonably practicable, this includes the right to a competent interpreter.
Your right to effective communication
We are aware of the need to ensure that people understand the health issues facing them, the treatment options available and the steps required to recover or maintain well-being. Similarly, people who use our services need to be able to express themselves fully and freely.
As part of this commitment we have produced a best practice guide that aims to promote the best possible use of interpreting services; to communicate accurate information to clinicians and practitioners so that symptoms and their meanings can be understood, correctly diagnosed and the best available treatment offered.
Interpreting Guidelines for Psychiatric Assessment Guides
The initial aims of the psychiatric guide were to support interpreters working with psychiatrists when carrying out assessments. It provides some explanation on how a psychiatrist approaches the assessments and some commonly used questions and responses, translated in other languages.
Following further evaluations, we found the guide to be an even more dynamic and versatile tool that can be used to raise awareness among a wider audience including the service users, carers, voluntary organisations and advocates.
As a mental health service provider, the guide presents an exciting and real opportunity to make a significant difference to the quality of care for those who use services. Our aims are to work in partnership with organisations like yours, to provide effective, efficient and fair services that meet the needs of all individuals in our diverse communities.
We believe that these guides will further equip staff at all levels with sufficient knowledge and techniques to continue making a difference in reducing inequalities and delivering outstanding language and interpreting support.
The guides are currently translated into three languages (Somali, Bengali and Sylheti). This information is free to use but copyrights must be observed.
- Interpreting Guidelines for Psychiatric Assessment - Bengali
- Interpreting Guidelines for Psychiatric Assessment - Somali
- Interpreting Guidelines for Psychiatric Assessment - Sylheti
- Protocol for New Translations and Psychiatric Assessment Guidelines
- Protocol for New Translations and Psychiatric Assessment-Guide - Basic infosheet