Multicultural Practice

Our practice provides a health service that accommodates a diverse multicultural population including those with disability. Patients who do not speak English or who are more proficient in another language, have the ability to choose a professional translating service or a translator who may be a family member, friend or bilingual staff member.

Patients may arrive with a family member or friend who could translate. Our Practice discourages this (except in emergency situations) as it may present the following problems:

• Reluctance for the patient to disclose some information
• Biased translation of information.
  
• Misunderstood messages between the staff member and the patient.
  
• Grand Central Medical Centre uses TIS – the Government Funded National Translating Service.

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) National To use an interpreter over the telephone