Interpreters New Zealand – Public Health Expert, University of Otago, New Zealand

A/Prof Ben Gray*

Gray B. Government funding of interpreters in Primary Care is needed to ensure quality care. Public Health Expert Blog.18 May 2022. https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/government-funding-of-interpreters-in-primary-care-is-needed-to-ensure-quality-care/

The pandemic has highlighted many problems in the NZ health system. This blog will address the question of availability of interpreters for people with limited English proficiency (LEP). This is now funded within hospitals. It is funded in Primary Care in Auckland and Nelson but not other regions. It became clear that interpreters were needed to enable Primary Care to look after Covid-19 patients in the community and the Ministry of Health has provided central funding throughout the country for this purpose. If it is acknowledged that funded interpreters are needed for Covid-19 patients, why are they not available for other conditions?

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Government funding of interpreters in Primary Care is needed to ensure quality care

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