West Moreton Health will provide an interpreter to patients who are not proficient in English or are deaf or hard of hearing.
This is a free service whether you have a Medicare card or not.
Interpreters can be used when you:
- are a patient in hospital
- have an appointment
- need to contact the hospital or health service.
Different ways you can use an interpreter:
- in person
- over the telephone
- on a video call.
Why use an interpreter?
West Moreton Health uses professional interpreters to make sure information is communicated to you through a trained, qualified person. This is very important when talking to you about complex medical information.
Family and friends can come to appointments with you and support you to talk about your healthcare needs, but they are not qualified interpreters.
Family or friends can only be used in limited instances where no interpreter is available.
How do I contact the hospital when I require an interpreter?
If you need to contact the hospital about an appointment or have questions, you can use the free interpreter service through Translating and Interpreter Services (TIS).
Please follow these steps:
- Dial 131 450.
- Say the language you speak, and the operator will connect you with an interpreter.
- Tell the interpreter the number you wish to call or who you wish to speak to.
- Talk to the staff member in your language.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, please contact us through the National Relay Service.
- TTY users: call 133 677, then ask for 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
- SMS relay users: call 0423 677 767 and ask for 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
- Speak-and-listen (speech-to-speech relay) users: call 1300 555 727, then ask for 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
- Internet relay users: connect to the National Relay Service External Link, then ask for 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
- Video relay users: choose the available video relay contact on Skype and ask for 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
How do I request an interpreter for my appointment?
Queensland Health staff can book interpreters for patients.
If you need an interpreter, please tell the staff when confirming your appointment.
When you attend your appointment, you can notify the staff you require an interpreter by:
- telling the staff member
- pointing to your language on the language identification card
- showing your Queensland interpreter card to the health staff if you have one.