Lost in translation

After a charity investigated interpretation services in pharmacy, we look at the responsibility of community pharmacies and how to provide the best service for the public.   

For what seems like years now, shortages in translation services have been a steadily growing problem in the cash-strapped public sector. From police stations finding themselves unable to interview suspects, to local councils stumbling to provide certain services, or even court cases being adjourned due to a lack of them (2,600 in 2016 alone, according to the Ministry of Justice), there is now real concern. For deaf services alone, there is a shortage of professional British Sign Language interpreters with just 1,376 registered interpreters in the whole of the UK.