We were contacted recently to provide a Face to Face Community Interpreter for a 2 hour memory assessment. The session went very well and the practitioner kindly sent us some feedback:
“Please can you pass on my praise for the interpreter. She is the best interpreter I have ever had the pleasure to work with. She cares passionately about the people she works with. Treats all involved with respect, empathy and always goes the extra mile to assist with our assessments. A real joy to work with”. Karen Churcher – Dementia Assessment Service – Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust)
We always share such feedback with interpreters. The interpreter took time to reflect on the praise and to share her perspective:
“My experience with mental health and specialist services such as memory assessment has been always interesting and goes beyond word to word translation. I always give my best for the right out come. The Service User was in her 80s and suffering from dementia. The grand daughter had dialled into the appointment. She was very dominating and insisting on cancelling this appointment – she wasn’t listening to service provider. I had to convince her to let the assessment happen.
I have learnt that so many times the questions are not appropriate, particularly when the Service User has poor literacy and lacks a formal education. It makes it difficult for patients to respond, not because of memory issues but due to cultural and educational background and unfamiliarity with the subject as it is presented. I make the practitioner aware of this context and with their permission and support we try and change the approach and language so that the assessment can be effective. In nutshell I try and make sure the assessments are completed as accurately as possible.
I also had to manage with a daughter in law who was present and taking over the conversation, answering on behalf of the Service User. I had to use all the skills I have learnt in the training and over my years of experience. I believe this is all part of the job of a Community Interpreter. It fits with the ethos of SIS, which we all carry. I am sure most of the interpreters at SIS do the same”.
Our heartfelt congratulations to our interpreter – great job!
Note: We remove the names of interpreters and the language used to ensure confidentiality.
