To get started, type in the details, then save the PDF for printing or send the translated appointment directly to your client. NSW Health has a proud history of being a leader in providing health care services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. On 1 February 2010 the Ministry of Health ceased issuing hard copy amendments to … Fee Scale SWSLHD Clients ; Fee Scale External Clients; Preparation of Material for Translation; Information. All policy documents applicable to the NSW Health system are issued by the Ministry of Health through the Policy Distribution System. NSW Health has issued Standard Procedures for Working with Health Care Interpreters- Policy Directive It includes what to do in an emergency or if a health care interpreter is not available. The NSW Plan for Healthy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities 2019-2023 (the Plan) is the strategic statewide policy for meeting the health needs of culturally and linguistically diverse consumers. The provision of We can provide advice on the most appropriate community languages for your target audiences. Interpreters are available for languages other than English, on-site, online and by telephone. In particular, working with an interpreter is essential when patients/clients are required to give valid consent for medical treatments, such as an operation, medical or surgical procedures or blood transfusion, or to participate in medical research, except where immediate treatment is necessary to save the person’s life or prevent serious injury to health. Last Reviewed Date: Organisation: NSW Health. NSW Health issued updated Standard Procedures for Working with Health Care Interpreters (Policy Directive PD2017_044) on 20 Dec 2017. Information on translation services. Policy Directive Title Standard Procedures for Working with Health Care Interpreters ... 2.1 POLICY NSW Health is committed to the Principles of Multiculturalism. Audience: All. Specialist multicultural and refugee health services, Interpreting/translating & multicultural health services, Your Room - Information about alcohol and other drugs, Government Information Public Access Act (GIPA), Policy directives, guidelines and information bulletins, Student clearance for clinical placements, Interpreting/translating and multicultural health services, NSW Plan for Healthy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, NSW Plan for Healthy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities 2019-2023, Multicultural Policies and Services Program. See Professional Development for Interpreters. Working with health care interpreters allows health professionals to fulfil their duty of care and ensures that the quality of communication is the best it can be when a language other than English is involved. Guarantee (Administration) Act applies to Sessional Interpreters and that health services are required to make payments to complying superannuation funds. The Multicultural Policies and Services Program is a mechanism for public sector agencies, including NSW Health, to show how they are planning effectively for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and to report on their progress. All Health organisations are required to comply with this Policy Directive. Publication date: 2015/11/30 14:00:00 GMT. In 1999, NSW Health published the first Refugee Health Plan in Australia, and in the same year, the statewide NSW Refugee Health Service was established by South Western Sydney Area Health Service. MHCS is part of NSW Health and is a state-wide service specialising in communication with culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Consent to treatment will not be valid if it is obtained through a child or family members, other patients, visitors or staff acting as interpreters. The use of professional interpreters allows health professionals to fulfil their duty of care, including obtaining valid consent. NSW Health Policy is to use professional interpreters. Consent Situations; Interpreters - Standard Procedures for Working with Health Care Interpreters; AUSIT Code of Ethics The Plan serves as the NSW Health multicultural plan under the NSW Multicultural Policies and Services Program. NSW Health Policies and Guidelines The NSW Ministry of Health and the Multicultural Health Communication Service provide guidance for programs, services and activities involving and affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The Policy Directive describes when and how NSW Health staff must engage and work with health care interpreters. A summary of the Plan is available in the following languages: All NSW Government agencies are expected to provide high quality services and programs for all people in NSW. 3 : Guidelines on interpreting and translation Last updated 22 September 2014 : 1. Ministry of Health staff should refer to the Work Support Centre for procedures on processing policy directives, guidelines and information bulletins. The Policy Directive provides clear direction to health care staff and services about when and how to work with health care interpreters, including in an emergency or if a health care interpreter is not available. NSW Ministry of Health Policy Directive – PD2017_044 - Interpreters – Standard Procedures for Working wit h Health Care Interpreters This policy does not cover the development of health … Multicultural health services focus on assisting consumers and public health staff so that the NSW Health system is accessible and accommodating of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in NSW. Consent obtained without the use of a professional interpreter (e.g. The following policy and procedure manuals are updated continually to incorporate the latest policies issued by the Ministry. NSW Standard Procedure for use of Health Care Interpreters. Using Internet Explorer as your browser, complete the Interpreter request form (PDF 366 KB) (staff only), choosing Hunter New Enland Local Health in the provider section and including the meeting link in the appropriate field and email your request to HNELHD-multiculturalhealth@health.nsw.gov.au; You should receive confirmation of your booking within 48 hours of making your booking. The NSW Plan for Healthy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities aims to improve our systems and processes to promote better health for NSW residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. NSW Health issued updated Standard Procedures for Working with Health Care Interpreters (Policy Directive PD2017_044) on 20 Dec 2017. Relatives have an emotional involvement, their language ability is untested, and they are not skilled in medical terminology. NSW Health Care Interpreter Service, Translation and Interpreting Service telephone numbers. NSW Government Policy requires that professional healthcare interpreters be used to facilitate communication between people who are not fluent in English, including people who are Deaf, and the staff of the NSW public health system. These Translation Guidelines describe the circumstances in which the Sydney Health Care Interpreter Service (SHCIS) can provide translation services in accordance with section 3.14.3 of NSW Health Policy, Interpreters - Standard Procedures for Working with Health Care Interpreters (PD2006_053). Compliance with this Policy/Procedure is mandatory. The NSW Plan for Healthy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities 2019-2023 (the Plan) is the strategic statewide policy for meeting the health needs of culturally and linguistically diverse consumers. Tele-Interpreter Service Hunter New England Health now offers a tele-interpreting service, which will increase access, speed and suitablility of our interpreters. The Policy Directive applies to all NSW Health Services. The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service's online Appointment Reminder Translation Tool allows you to translate appointment details into your client's language. Interpreting is a professional skill. Health care interpreters are to be engaged in all health care situations where communication is essential for patients/clients who are not fluent in English, including people who are Deaf. Forms to use when requesting a translation . 5.4 Appendix 4 24 Communicating with Deaf people. For those patients whose language spoken at home is not English, professional interpreters must be used for admission, medical histories, assessments, treatment plans, consent for procedures, pre-operative and post-operative instructions, explanation of medication, counselling, discharge and basically anything more than simple matters of patient comfort. © 2012 South Western Sydney Local Health District Page last updated: 03 June, 2015 For more information, see PD2016_049. Bilingual staff need to be aware of their legal position - basically, if interpreting is not in your job description, think carefully before you do it, and make sure that every attempt has been made to obtain a professional interpreter. Onsite and telephone interpreters can be used by schools, parents or the community for meetings or interviews with a school or the Department of Education. NSW Health Policy on Working with Interpreters; Use of family or friends as Interpreters; Assessing the need for an Interpreter; Working with Interpreters; Booking an Interpreter; Booking a Translator; TIS as a Backup Service; Patient or Client Refusal; Quality Assurance; Professional Development; HCIS … K:\CHW P&P\ePolicy\Dec 18\Clinical Research - Use of Interpreters.docx This Policy/Procedure may be varied, withdrawn or replaced at any time. Interpreting services are available in over 120 languages, including Australian Sign Language (Auslan) and are available to public health patients free of charge. a relative or a friend) may not be legally valid. This information is included in the NSW Health Annual Report and provided bi-annually in a comprehensive report to Multicultural NSW, which reports annually to the NSW Parliament through its Community Relations Report. Health Care Interpreters are not only bilingual, their language and interpreting skills have been tested, they are trained in medical terminology and they operate under a strict code of professional ethics, which ensures that their services are impartial and confidential. These services may incur a fee. For translation of complex health documents or information documents relating to funded health programs, please contact the HCIS Manager via emailing therese.morris@health.nsw.gov.au. The Policy Directive applies to all NSW Health Services. If a professional interpreter is not used because the patient/client has refused to use one, record these details in the patient/client’s medical record, with details of the discussions that have taken place about the use of an interpreter and inform the patient/client that this is being done. If a patient/client declines the offer of an interpreter AND the health care provider is unsure in any way about what is being communicated, then the health care provider has both a right and an obligation to organise the interpreter. Health Care Interpreter services. If you do not speak English well, health staff are required to contact a professional interpreter for assistance. Research ethics policies. NSW Health Circular 94/10 Standard Procedures for the Use of Health Care Interpreters. Illawarra Health Care Interpreter Service provides interpreter services for inpatients units, outpatient clinics and for home visits. Policy directive [PD2010_057]: Research – Human and Animal Research and the National Health & Medical Research Council Act 1992 We have extensive experience and expertise in providing translation services. Family members or friends can be present, but all communication about health treatment should be through the interpreter. Guidelines for Low and Negligible Risk (LNR) Research Review Processes or Exemption from Ethical Review. Patient/client should be explained that it is the NSW Health policy to use professional interpreters. The Guideline represents OHMR’s interpretation of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research as it … Policies. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. If anything goes wrong, you could find yourself in court trying to explain why you considered it necessary to act outside of your job description. Policies and Legislation. November 2005 The policy is mandatory for all providers of health care services in NSW Health facilities and funded services. Each year HSPB gathers information from across NSW Health about multicultural health achievements, planned initiatives and progress under the Plan. Bilingual staff are encouraged to deliver their service directly in their other language, if fluent, without using an interpreter, but the use of bilingual staff to interpret is inappropriate. It is NSW Health Policy that health care interpreters must be used in all health care situations where communication is essential including, admission, consent, assessment, counselling, discharge, explanation of treatment, associated risks and side effects, health education an… Country of birth and language spoken at home must be recorded on admission/intake. Interpreters are qualified and trained in understanding medical terms and how the public health system works. Interpreter Required Card. The use of relatives to interpret is also breaching confidentiality for the patient/client, and there is no guarantee of impartiality or professional conduct. NSW Health Policy & Implementation Plan for Culturally Diverse Communities 2012-2016 Traumatised Refugees when Working with an Interpreter”, paper presented at ‘Diversity in Health: Sharing Global Perspective’s’ International Conference 28-30 May 2001, Darling Harbour, Sydney. A full copy of the policy can be obtained by contacting WSLHD HCIS or visiting the NSW Health website. Health Care Interpreter Services (HCIS) provide access to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week interpreting services within the NSW public health system. people who are Deaf, and the staff of the NSW public health system. Please enable scripts and reload this page. The policy Interpreters - Standard Procedures for Working with Health Care Interpreters must be adhered to by all staff across NSW Health. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for NSW Health and is a condition of subsidy for public health organisations. NSW Health has issued Standard Procedures for Working with Health Care Interpreters- Policy Directive PD2006_053 (NSW Health, 2006). The use of non-professional interpreters such as relatives, friends, children, or bilingual staff is not only a breach of the official Standard Procedures, but also a breach of the duty of care owed to the patient/client, and could result in legal action. Tags: Hospitals and Health Services. Policy and Procedures: Using Interpreting Services and Effective Translations. Interpreting services. The Policy Directive provides clear direction to health care staff and services about when and how to work with health care interpreters, including in an emergency or if a health care interpreter is not available. Workplace culture Health professionals workforce plan Workforce planning and development Junior medical officer recruitment Map My Health Career Use the Interpreter required card to book a professional Interpreter in the hospital. This includes details of agency compliance and highlights examples of best practice. The Plan aims to ensure that people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have equitable access to health care services that are culturally responsive, safe and high quality. MHCS knows health. This is available in all hospitals, and during home visits by clinicians. Contact the TIS National Language policy liaison team for more information. If it becomes apparent at the first session that the interpreter is not needed, you may not need to book them for further sessions. The services assists patients/clients who do not speak English or are Deaf, to have access to available public health services. Resources NSW Health policy is to use professional interpreters. Reassure the patient/client that the interpreter will keep everything confidential, and insist that the interpreter be there at least for the first session. AudienceAll staff of the NSW public health system Policy Directive Secretary, NSW Health This Policy Directive may be varied, withdrawn or replaced at any time. Since then, NSW Health’s commitment to providing access to health services for people from refugee backgrounds has grown substantially. They also attend a number of professional development courses related to interpreting in the health care field. Consent obtained over the phone may not be valid. If you are part of NSW Health there are Health Care Interpreter Services located in Local Health Districts throughout the state that can provide interpreter services. We provide free translations for simple health care documents relating directly to a patient. Resources. The Plan also affirms the commitment of NSW Health to the principles of the Multicultural NSW Act 2000, in particular respecting and making provision for the culture and language of others. Interpreting : 1.1 Our obligations: New South Wales is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world with more than Although they are not involved emotionally, their language ability is untested, and they may not possess the necessary skills in medical terminology, or understanding of professional interpreting techniques. Leaving your normal duties to perform interpreting services may also cause difficulties in your workplace. 1. ​The Ministry's Health and Social Policy Branch (HSPB) provides leadership and guidance to support a systematic approach to multicultural and refugee health. NSW Health organisations must have systems in place to distribute policy documents to staff and organisations under their control and to monitor compliance. Languages of the World; Language Identification Chart; Policies/Guidelines. Welcome to Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health Policy on Working with Interpreters, Professional Development for Interpreters. 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