Sectors We Serve

Interpreting and translation for the NHS

DBS-checked medical interpreters and clear translated patient information, in 300+ languages, with phone interpreting around the clock.

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When a patient and a clinician do not share a language, the risk is real: a symptom missed, a dose misunderstood, consent that was never truly informed. Prism Linguistics provides interpreting and translation for the NHS and UK healthcare so that language never gets in the way of safe care, in more than 300 languages.

We work with NHS trusts, GP practices, dental surgeries, mental health services and private healthcare providers. Our interpreters are DBS-checked and used to clinical settings, and our telephone interpreting runs day and night, because illness does not keep office hours.

Care that depends on being understood

Healthcare interpreting is not only about words. It is about a frightened patient being able to describe what is wrong, a clinician being sure consent is real, and a difficult diagnosis being delivered with the care it deserves.

That is why a professional interpreter matters, and why leaning on a family member is rarely safe. A relative may soften the truth or miss a clinical detail, and asking a child to interpret for a parent is never acceptable. Our interpreters are neutral and trained, they hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate, and many have years of experience in NHS settings and with medical terminology.

Questions people ask

Healthcare sector FAQs

Are your healthcare interpreters DBS-checked?
Yes. Interpreters sent to NHS and healthcare appointments hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate. Many also have public service interpreting qualifications and experience in medical settings, so they are comfortable with clinical terminology and the sensitivity these conversations need.
Can patients reach an interpreter out of hours?
Yes. Telephone interpreting runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year, which is why NHS 111, A&E and out-of-hours services rely on it. An interpreter can join a call within a couple of minutes for common languages.
Why not let a family member interpret?
It is rarely safe. A relative may soften bad news, miss clinical detail, or struggle to relay something distressing accurately, and a child should never carry that responsibility. A professional interpreter is neutral, trained and accurate, which protects both the patient and the clinician.
Do you translate patient information leaflets?
Yes. We translate patient-facing material such as leaflets, appointment letters, consent forms and discharge information into 300+ languages, with medical translators and a second-linguist check, so the meaning is right and clear.

Supporting patients who need an interpreter?

Whether it is a single appointment or cover for a whole trust, tell us what you need and we will set it up.