Health advocacy
Staff at the hospital work hard to understand the needs of the patients and visitors who come here. We know that coming to hospital can sometimes be a frightening and frustrating time for those patients who do not speak english as their first language.
We have a number of health advocates speaking over 20 languages.
What is bilingual health advocacy?
Who is the service for?
What is the difference between advocates and interpreters?
When is the service available?
Will I have to pay for this service?
What if you can't help me?
Contact details
What is bilingual health advocacy?
Bilingual interpretation for:
- patients who do not speak or read fluent English
- advice, information and support to help people access health services
- educating health services about cultural norms so they can provide care and treatment in a culturally sensitive way.
Who is the service for?
People who do not speak English and need support when dealing with health staff. Advocates are available in the following languages:
Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, BSL, Bengali, Cantonese, Czech, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hebrew/Yiddish, Hindi, Kurmanci, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Serbo-Croat, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese
Other languages can be booked through two external agencies (Hackney Translations and Medic-Interpreters) according to demand and availability.
What is the difference between advocates and interpreters?
- an interpreter will interpret for the patient and the health professional to ensure that they can both understand and communicate with each other via a common language
- an advocate will also interpret, but in addition will support patients ensuring they have the knowledge, understanding and confidence needed to make informed decisions and to get the care and services they need. They will also refer them to other organisations that can assist them.
We operate an open referral system which means patients, carers and health workers can refer to the service. Please use the contact details below to make your referral.
When is the service available?
Opening times:
Monday to Friday , 9am to 5pm
Patients are seen by appointment only. However, we do our best to help in genuine emergencies.
Will I have to pay for this service?
Individuals do not have to pay for the service. However, the hospital pays for bilingual health advocates' time, so cancellations must be notified at least 24 hours in advance.
What if you can't help me?
If the service can't provide the help you need, we can advise about other services that can help. For example we do not provide housing, environmental health, mental health, social services or immigration advice. Some of the services that can help are listed below.
Contact details
Main office:
Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 46 - 48 Clifden road, London E9 6SR
tel: 020 8510 7179/7931
fax: 020 8510 7017
Joe Farrell
tel: 020 8510 7931
joe.farrell@homerton.nhs.uk
Jane Welch
tel: 020 7683 4029
jane.welch@homerton.nhs.uk
For bilingual health advocacy services in the community, please contact:
The main office
tel: 020 7683 4024 / 4026
fax: 020 7014 7258
Duriye Beidas
Coordinator
tel: 020 7683 4015
Jane Welch
Manager
tel: 020 7683 4029
Files
-
Single equality scheme and action plan
29 July 2011
Race equality scheme - promoting diversity, valuing difference.
-
PALS and complaints booklet
6 April 2009
Information booklet for patients and visitors about the patient advice liaison service (PALS) and the complaints service.
Quick links
Our services
About the trust
For professionals
Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Homerton Row, London, E9 6SR. - 020 8510 5555 | contact us