As part of its communications
policy, Newham Council has set out a series of
standards relating to the provision of interpreting
and translation support. For example, family
members and friends should be used only where
the customer makes this preference, after being
offered the option of professional translation
and interpreting support.
Newham Language Shop (NLS) is the council's award-winning interpreting
and translation service. In 2000, NLS began using EITI to provide a telephone
interpreting service to GP practices within the East London and The City
Health Action Zone (HAZ). The objectives of the service were closely
related to those of the HAZ: to develop and implement a strategy that
cut inequalities and enabled a measurable improvement in the quality
of treatment and care.
"EITI has
enabled Newham Language Shop to provide
GPs and other healthcare professionals
with a world-class telephone interpreting
service," says the head of NLS,
Jaimin Patel. "I think the service
provided by EITI has been excellent and
is a living example of private and public
sector partnerships delivering best value
in terms of quality and cost." |
