Patients in Walsall, who don’t have English as their first language, will experience better communication around their appointments, treatment and care thanks to a new system.
The Patients Relations Team at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has delivered four additional Wordskii on Wheels (WoW) pads to clinical areas including Endoscopy, Fracture Clinic, Pharmacy, and Wards 24 and 25.
WoW pads enable staff to access video interpreting in more than 350 languages, including British Sign Language.
Bradley Cox, Head of Patient Relations, said: “Our latest delivery has been generously supported by the Well Wishers charity, with the aim of improving our patients’ experience and reducing delays in care delivery.
“As a Trust, we now have more than 30 WoW devices in use across our inpatient, outpatient, and community services, allowing staff to access interpreters on demand without delay.
“In addition, the Patient Relations Team has recently developed a Language Services E-Learning Module.
“This module guides staff through the various interpreting and translation options available, including how to book telephone, video, and face-to-face interpreters, as well as how to request document translations.”
The Language Services E-Learning Module is now available to all staff via MyAcademy.
Dorathy Davidson, Unit Manager of the Endoscopy Unit, said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Well Wishers for the kind donation of our new interpreting iPad here.
“This invaluable tool will make a real difference by helping us communicate more effectively with our language barrier patients, ensuring they feel informed, safe, and supported whilst making informed decisions about their care.
“This will in turn, enable our staff to deliver high quality and person-centred care.
“Thank you again for your ongoing support, it enhances the service we provide.”
Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager, said: “It is great to support something that fits our vision and mission statement which is ‘to raise money for things over and above what the NHS is able to provide and ‘to provide the best experience possible for patients, service users and families’.
“I hope the IPads will help appointments run smoother for patients and staff.”