"Language Barriers in Healthcare"

Royal Victoria Infirmary, Leazes Wing, Ward 30

My father speaks only very basic English so there is a language barrier. I asked if I could be present when the doctors do their rounds to help translate. The staff, refused my request, she said, she didn't know when the the doctors come around. I asked if a translator could be present when the doctors do their rounds. The same excuse was given, and a translator could not be booked. In the end, the doctors did their rounds and checked my father with my father being unable to communicate with the doctors. I want to know if the staff understand how crucial effective communication between patient and doctor is for diagnosis, treatment and health outcome. What effect a language barrier has on the level of care given and the consequences for morbidity and mortality of the patient.

The last time my father was in hospital he lost 10 kgs of weight in 5 weeks because of no appetite after bowel surgery. At home we, his family have had to ask and push him to eat and drink at every meal. We have tried very hard to stop the weight loss, so that my father is less frail, so he can restart chemotherapy. I asked the staff, if I could come in during mealtimes to help and encourage my father to eat. The staff refused my request, she said “let’s see how it goes, we are good at encouraging people to eat”. I asked, how when there is a language barrier, she then said, “mealtimes are protected” and “if I let one person in, I have to let everyone in which is unfair”. There was zero effort made to accommodate individual circumstances even if it benefits the patient’s recovery. There also appears to be in place, a blanket ban on any family support outside of visitor hours even if patients require support, and it appears many people have had their request to support family members rejected. I truly do not understand why there is such strong opposition to family support and the logic behind these decisions in Ward 30.

My father called us multiple times during the night extremely agitated and for the first time expressing very negative thoughts. I asked the staff, if my mother could visit at 9 am to see my father. My father also expressed his wish to see us as soon as possible over the phone. Both staff, refused my request, the excuse was “mornings are busy” and “he looks alright now”. I asked, how did they check, they can’t even speak to him because of the language barrier. The staff hung up the phone after I questioned them multiple times on how they know he is alright and if they were getting him any help. Another example of zero effort made to adapt to individual circumstances and a strong opposition to family support even when required for the patient’s wellbeing from Ward 30.