People who use Language Line telephone interpreting when they use NHS services are invited to tell NHS Suffolk how good the service is and how it could be improved.

More people are using the Language Line telephone interpreting service: in 2008-2009, almost 2000 calls were made to a telephone-based interpreter when someone visited a doctor, dentist or clinic.

Mindful of delivering the very best possible level of service to patients, NHS Suffolk is asking anyone who has made use of the service to complete a short questionnaire. We would like to know about their recent experiences to have their thoughts and opinions on where further improvements could be made.

Isabel Cockayne, Head of Communications at NHS Suffolk said:

“Language Line provides an invaluable service. Almost everyone, regardless of what language they speak, sometimes needs access to the NHS. Telephone interpreting can be vital in delivering appropriate healthcare to those whose first language is not English. The service is already well used and appreciated. However, we want to make it even better and so we want to get the opinion of users on what works well and what needs improving.”

Questionnaires are available in Polish, Portuguese, Sorani Kurdish, Chinese (Mandarin) Turkish and English. People speaking other languages are invited to write in their comments on how well the Language Line interpreting worked for them, and what could be improved. Please write to Isabel Cockayne, Head of Communications at NHS Suffolk, Rushbrook House, Paper Mill Lane Bramford, Ipswich, IP8 4DE

If you would like to receive a questionnaire please contact NHS Suffolk on 01473 770014 or email [email protected]. If you need an interpreter, please tell us you name, phone number and first language on the phone, and then we will call you back shortly with an interpreter.

If you speak English, and know anyone who may use the interpreting service, please let them know about this invitation to give us feedback.

For more information about NHS Suffolk visit www.suffolk.nhs.uk