AN interpretation service is being launched by health chiefs in County Durham.
Durham and Chester-le-Street, Durham Dales Primary Care Trusts (PCT) are to provide the service for people who do not speak or understand English.
NHS organisations are obliged to provide interpreters for patients and clients whose first language is not English.
The PCTs have registered with a local interpretation service which can provide face-to-face interpreters for pre-booked appointments with any service.
When an interpreter is needed in an emergency situation, the assistance is available over the telephone.
The service provides more than 40 languages and dialects to meet the needs of local residents as well as asylum seekers and refugees.
The service will be managed by the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals) for both Durham and Chester-le- Street and Durham Dales PCTs.
For more information about the interpretation service, contact Pals for Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT on Freephone 0800 195 7998. For Pals in the Durham Dales, call (01388) 458835 ext 136.
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