Access to professional healthcare interpretation is a serious health equity issue. Without the ability to communicate with a care provider in their preferred language, patients cannot engage with healthcare services, and the legislative obligations under which healthcare providers function cannot be met. In consultation with healthcare and settlement providers across Canada, the National Newcomer Navigation Network (N4) developed a proposed national standard and an accompanying set of recommendations to address language barriers for newcomers. This position paper calls for an interpretation approach which can be implemented nationally to promote safe, equitable and positive healthcare access and experiences for newcomers.
This paper was created by the N4 CoP Working Group - Access to Interpretation.
Summary document
ACCESS TO INTERPRETATION INCREASES HEALTHCARE EFFICIENCY AND EQUITY
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Position paper
PAN-CANADIAN STANDARDS FOR HEALTHCARE EQUITY
The Case for Provincial Interpretation Services
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