Doctors lead innovative pilot project to improve care for patients who don’t speak English

The Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice announced today that it is launching a pilot project to improve care for non-English speaking patients.

Over the next few months, any family physician who is a member of the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice may gain free access to an interpreter to improve care for patients who do not speak English. Utilizing the Provincial Language Service, the interpreter will be available over the phone so there is no need to pre-book interpretive services.

Says Dr. Patricia Gabriel, “In many cases, patients with very limited English rely on a family member or friend to explain symptoms, which can be difficult if they involve sexual or mental health. When key information doesn’t get passed on or nuances are lost, there’s a possibility of misdiagnosis (…) I believe interpretation support will benefit both patients and the system as a whole”.

If the pilot project proves successful, there is potential for the service to be continued and expanded. Read the full news release on the Divisions of Family Practice website.

The Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice is one of 33 regional Divisions of Family Practice around the province that focus on enhancing local delivery of primary care through member-identified priorities. Divisions of Family Practice was formed and is funded by the General Practice Services Committee, a collaboration between the BC Medical Association and the Ministry of Health.