Lost in Translation
Date Submitted : 26-Jun-2009
Themes : health, QLD,
A Discussion Paper on
Interpreting Issues in Health
Care Settings in Queensland.
The main issues relating to interpreting within the health care setting in Queensland expressed by
workers and clients are:
• Insufficient use of interpreters by the health care profession and a general lack of awareness
and inaccurate information about the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS);
• Confusion and misunderstandings by community workers regarding coverage of TIS and the
exemption process for fee free services;
• Continued usage of non-professional ‘interpreters’ (e.g. relatives/ children/ bilingual staff) in
important health situations;
• Cost, access and other issues with TIS
o TIS operational and policy issues
o Gender and cultural considerations;
• Lack of a resource or guide which comprehensively presents all the necessary information for
both workers and service providers (or which directs them to existing resources);
• Lack of community / consumer education on how to pursue the right to req
Download the file: 267973_72752_Lost_in_Translation MDA.pdf