Translation and communication support

At Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust we actively encourage the promotion of equal access to its services by fully acknowledging the personal, religious, linguistic and cultural needs of patients and their families.

The interpreting service aims to provide a high quality professional interpreting and signing service that is appropriate, acceptable and accessible. This is achieved by using qualified and experienced interpreters who offer their services in a wide range of languages on a strictly confidential basis. We work to ensure that people are not disadvantaged because of language or communication difficulties.

All staff and health professionals aim to ensure that anyone who has difficulty in expressing themselves or understanding English has access to this service.

Interpreting services at our sites are provided via telephone or face to face. Our interpreters are reliable and punctual. For face to face meetings, the interpreters will present themselves at the appropriate venue of appointment with identification, introducing themselves to a named contact person. 

Registered CACDP (Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People) qualified interpreters are used to communicate in British Sign Language.

Please notify the person responsible for your referral (e.g. your GP) that you will require an interpreters/signer for your hospital appointment/admission.

If you need to cancel an appointment which has an interpreter booked, please notify the hospital (via the telephone number on your appointment letter) as soon as possible to enable us to cancel the interpreter. Telephone 01322 428100 (switchboard) if you do not have the direct contact number. 

If you do not attend your booked appointment and have failed to notify the hospital, we will not be able to guarantee an intrepreter for any future appointments and you may need to provide your own.

People who have learning and literacy difficulties may need a bit more time and have very individual needs. Please visit the Equality and Diversity section of the website for more details.

Page last edited: 22 January 2024