Jess O’Dwyer, Pocketalk General Manager, Europe, reveals startling survey results that highlight a desperate need to innovate NHS translation and interpretation solutions.

According to research that we conducted with 500 healthcare professionals in the UK, staff are losing an average of six working days a year addressing language barriers. Over 10% of healthcare workers face language barriers every day and the impact on patient care, waiting times and safeguarding shouldn’t be underestimated.

One third of staff admitted using Google Translate, an unapproved tool; a further 15% use other unauthorised solutions, and 23% use their personal mobiles to translate. These solutions raise huge concerns about data security and compliance, as well as reliability and accuracy in critical healthcare settings.

Over 33% of healthcare workers expressed concern about safeguarding issues arising from language misunderstandings, underlining the high stakes involved in clear communication.

Better solutions are needed. However, current translation services are locked into long contract lengths, preventing the adoption of new or improved solutions. According to the TaxPayers’ Alliance, translation costs NHS Trusts over £100m every year.

Budgets are tied into these contracts, preventing the agility to use them to provide better patient care and outcomes. With the NHS stretched more than ever and the Government pledging to incorporate technology and AI to help improve and streamline its services and help save money, now is the time to make change across primary and secondary care settings.

The traditional framework style approach doesn't offer a process that allows trusts to select the best provider. Rather, it forces decision makers to choose between approved solutions that may not directly solve what it's needed to.

We have conducted a healthcare survey bi-annually since 2021, and Pocketalk has partnered with UK and Ireland healthcare organisations since then, offering a cost-effective, secure, accurate, instant translation solution that is giving huge benefits to users and patients.

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), we worked with Living Well Partnership, across its network of eight GP surgeries in Eastern Southampton, to improve communication with its 5,850 non-English-speaking patients.

During the study, in five of the eight primary care settings, the device was used 100 times translating 18 different languages. The findings highlighted that the introduction of Pocketalk resulted in more efficient communication or dialogue, saving time compared to using other translation services. The trial also increased patient privacy without the need for a third party to attend and translate during appointments.

In addition, the Pocketalk devices strengthened relationships between staff and patients with AI technology enabling seamless conversations, addressing needs more immediately and personally.

Pharmacists also noted that Pocketalk helped improve customer service and workflow efficiency, allowing them to manage queues more effectively.

While our bi-annual survey findings continue to be disappointing, they are not insurmountable. The work we’ve been doing in primary healthcare settings shows the opportunity for cost and time saving, and validates the role of technology.

Change is desperately needed. Every minute spent resolving language barriers is time lost in providing direct patient care. The NHS must consider alternative, technologically advanced solutions, cut red tape and bridge these communication gaps quickly. .

We believe that access to accurate and reliable communication is a fundamental right, particularly in healthcare settings. Pocketalk is here to support all future efforts. Pocketalk, www.pocketalk.com, is offering free trials to NHS organisations to address language barriers.

For more information contact matt.steel@pocketalk.com.