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Care Opinion

The interpreter wasn't allowed to translate instructions

Posted By indusyq88

"The interpreter wasn't allowed to translate instructions"

About: NHS Tayside / Corporate Equalities Team Perth Royal Infirmary / Radiology (X-rays and Scans)

(as a relative),

My mother had a CT scan today at the hospital in Perth. She has recovered from cancer and has CT scans periodically. My mother has no English and although I tried I was told I cannot translate for her because of hospital rules. She is very stressed every time she goes in because she does not understand instructions. Today she had a helpful interpreter with her and she was asking her about words they can possibly say and breathing instructions in english so she can memorise them.  I was relieved that she had help but on coming out mom told me that the interpreter wasn't allowed to translate the instructions. Staff opted to have her lying flat on her back while connected to a machine for injection and try to watch them make signs at her through the window of the control room. The interpreter tried to help my mother but was rudely dissmised. I am shocked at the standard of practice. My mother is very upset and stressed. 

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Responses

Response from Michael Conroy, Manager, Imaging ( Radiology/Nuc Med/Dexa/PET/CT)Patient Access and Assurance, NHS Tayside about a year and a half ago
Michael Conroy
Manager, Imaging ( Radiology/Nuc Med/Dexa/PET/CT)Patient Access and Assurance,
NHS Tayside

Submitted on 02/11/2022 at 12:04
Published on Care Opinion at 13:11

Thankyou for feeding back on care opinion your perception of your mothers experience of a CT scan at Perth Royal Infirmary.

I have investigated the incident and would like to offer the following explanation. Your mother was brought through to the CT scan room with the interpreter. The interpreter remained with the Radiographer and your mother whilst the scan procedure was explained, a checklist ensuring your mother was not allergic to the dye we used took place and a needle was inserted into her arm. The breathing instructions were explained that these would play in English (as its automatically generated by the machine) and the radiographer would use very visible hand signals to show breath in and when to breath normally again. This is used frequently when scanning patients who cannot understand English or are hard of hearing. It is very straightforward and concise and does not interfere with the scan. your mum was placed on the table facing the control room window with a clear view of the radiographer taking the scan.

The interpreter cannot stay in the scan room during the procedure due to radiation protection and was asked to remain outside the scan room until the procedure was finished.

Once the scan was completed the interpreter was immediately let back into the scan room to be with the patient.

Your mum followed the instructions clearly and staff did not recognise that your mum was stressed or upset during or after the examination.

Staff were not trying to dismiss the interpreters efforts to help, but they have many years experience in keeping patients safe and well looked after, and there is a requirement to ensure Radiation protection is adhered too,

I apologise that there has been some communication difficulties during this examination which we are sorry for and I hope this explanation helps understand the situation.

Kind Regards

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