Interpretation Services
Please see attached flyer which details Language Empire Services in the North East and how to access Interpreting and Translation services for your customers.
These free of charge services are provided by Language Empire who have been providing these services from 1 April 2021. The services available from Language Empire are listed below:
• Face to face spoken interpreting
• Face to face non-spoken interpreting, including BSL, Lip speaking and Deafblind communication
• Planned/pre booked telephone interpreting
This allows the Optician/Optometrist to book an interpreter in advance online, by email or phone and guarantees access to the service at the time requested. This can operate scheduled three-way telephone conversations with the patient, Optician/Optometrist and interpreter at the time booked. They can be contacted for pre-booking by telephone, email or through their booking portal.
• On demand telephone interpreting – This allows an Optician/Optometrist to access an interpreter should they require a telephone interpreter immediately.
• Spoken and non-spoken video interpreting
• Written translation to and from English (including Braille, large print, transcription and ancillary services)
Opticians/Optometrists have been previously contacted to provide you with details of your accounts and booking details so you can access these services. If you are unaware of these details, please contact Language Empire on the customer service phone number below, and they can send these out to you and explain how you access the service.
Attached is a document which lists all the different services and how they can be accessed. Please note that there are different telephone numbers to access different services. There is also a general customer service number (0330 20 20 270).
There are several helpful guides which cover access to services and best practice guides available on the Language Empire North East website, which can be accessed using the link below:
https://customerhub.empire-groupuk.com/nhs-england-cumbria-and-north-east/
Please note that it is best practice to facilitate an interpreter for any patient who requests this assistance in order to ensure safe, effective advice and guidance to be given to the patient.