Image of staff at the Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department provided by Southern Health and Social Care Trust
A handheld translation device is currently being tested in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland to enhance communication between staff and patients who do not speak English.
The portable digital device, capable of translating up to 108 languages in real time through audio or text, was introduced as a pilot program in September 2024 at the emergency departments of Craigavon Area Hospital and Daisy Hill Hospital, as well as some GP practices within the trust.
Users can simply speak into a microphone on the device, which then translates their words to English for healthcare staff and vice versa to the patient in their preferred language.
Martina McAloon, lead for multi-disciplinary teams in primary care social work at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, expressed the importance of ensuring access to services for all community members.
She stated, “The translation devices provide a valuable solution for situations where an interpreter is unavailable at a GP surgery or emergency department, allowing appointments to proceed without cancellations and ensuring efficient use of resources.”
The six-month pilot project is set to conclude in March 2025 and covers the ethnically diverse patient population within the Southern Trust.
Paul Smyth, acting head of department for EDs and minor injury units, emphasized the significance of effective communication in healthcare settings and praised the new translation devices for their role in supporting service users in emergency situations.
The Southern Trust, serving the areas of Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Dungannon, and Newry and Mourne, aims to provide equitable access to healthcare through the implementation of translator devices in GP practices.
Alyson Rooney, director of operations for the Southern GP Federation, highlighted the positive feedback received from practices that have already received the devices and mentioned plans to expand the program to additional areas.
Overall, the introduction of translation technology in healthcare facilities in Northern Ireland is a step towards improving patient care and accessibility for individuals with language barriers.
