Articles and Stories

April 1, 2024

In a concerning revelation from Wales, a report has underscored the significant risk posed by language barriers in medical settings, potentially leading to misdiagnoses and even missed early cancer detections. One case highlighted involved a woman who, due to relying on her son for translation at a GP visit for a urinary tract infection, later discovered she had stage four cervical cancer—a condition that could have potentially been identified earlier with professional interpretation services.

The Equality and Social Justice Committee of the Senedd has called for immediate action to provide translators for patients, emphasizing that the use of family members as interpreters is not only inappropriate but could violate human rights. Dr. Shanti Karupiah from the Royal College of GPs shared insights into how embarrassment or reluctance to share symptoms with family members could lead to critical information being lost, significantly impacting patient care.

The Risks of Inadequate Interpretation

The committee’s report points to numerous instances where the lack of professional interpreters has led to medical oversights. Dr. Karupiah narrated an instance where a suspicion led to the discovery of cervical cancer in a patient, which was previously unnoticed due to communication barriers. This case exemplifies the critical need for effective translation and interpretation in healthcare to prevent potentially life-threatening misdiagnoses.

Urgent Calls for Change

Prompted by these findings, the report urges the Welsh government to eliminate the reliance on family members for translation in healthcare settings as part of the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan. Jenny Rathbone MS, chair of the committee, stressed the importance of action over words and the need for Wales to actively pursue an anti-racist agenda.

The Welsh government has been recommended to implement strategies ensuring the availability of professional interpreters and translators in the medical sector, reflecting a commitment to an Anti-Racist Wales by 2030. This initiative aligns with efforts to provide equitable services across all public sectors, including education and criminal justice, to ethnic minority backgrounds in Wales.

Forward Steps

Acknowledging the report, the Welsh government expressed its dedication to enhancing the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, recognizing the critical need to reduce the use of family members as makeshift interpreters. The Wales Interpretation and Translation Service, offering professional support for the public sector, alongside collaborations with Public Health Wales, signifies steps towards addressing these concerns.

This movement towards ensuring accurate language interpretation in healthcare and other public services is pivotal in safeguarding patient well-being and upholding human rights. For services that transcend language barriers and foster understanding across cultures, World Translation Center stands ready to assist. Discover more about our commitment to breaking down communication barriers here.