4.11.4. Interpretation in the health system 

Interpretation in the context of health care was an area of focus in some EU+ countries. For example, in 2022 France continued to reinforce interpretation services for asylum applicants requiring health care,947  and the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration in Italy announced a national project to define the training curriculum of the transcultural mediator in the health sector.948

The Health Service Executive in Ireland launched a public procurement to offer standardised translation/interpretation services in all health services in early 2022,949  while in Switzerland, civil society organisations recommended that information is provided in a language understood by the applicant when accessing health and social services.950

Hospitals in Greece faced critical shortages in interpreting services to ensure communication with patients, especially for languages like Bangla, Tigrinya, Somali or other African dialects.951  UNHCR provided support with interpretation at hospitals.

In support of interpreters, Translators without Borders and Oxfam published a tip sheet to address sociolinguistic barriers on sensitive topics and to support their mental health.952