NHS spends £23m a year on translators: Costs rise as hospitals cater for 120 languages

By
James Chapman

Last updated at 11:44 PM on 5th February 2012

The NHS spends £64,000 a day on translation services, a report reveals today.

The cost to the taxpayer has risen by 17 per cent since 2007, with more than £23million spent last year.

Experts said huge sums could be saved if hospitals and GP surgeries pooled resources – and warned that translating information for those who do not speak English could encourage segregation.

With NHS is spending some £64,000 each day on translating 120 languages. Up 17 per cent since 2007, it is 'incredible' when £20billion are being cut across the NHS

With NHS is spending some £64,000 each day on translating 120 languages. Up 17 per cent since 2007, it is ‘incredible’ when £20billion are being cut across the NHS

Following freedom of information requests to every NHS trust, the report states that the Health Service spent £23.3million on written translation and interpreters last year.

Some trusts translated material into 120 languages.

Julia Manning, of 2020Health, the think-tank that conducted the research, said: ‘The costs involved are truly staggering in an age of austerity, and incredible when taken in the context of efficiency savings of £20billion across the Health Service.

‘Urgent action must be taken by trusts to stem the flow of translation costs, and our report sets out a number of recommendations that would do exactly that without altering the level of care given.’

These include establishing a central library of information that has already been translated, which could be used by trusts across the country.

The report also highlights trusts which do not provide any translation services, and instead produce documents in ‘easy to read’ English suitable for patients learning the language. 

With the NHS spending £64,000 each day on translation, 2020Health says things need to be changed. One suggestion would be to have a library where the words have already been translated

With the NHS spending £64,000 each day on translation, 2020Health says things need to be changed. One suggestion would be to have a library where the words have already been translated

A spokesman for Calderdale Primary Care Trust in Halifax said it did not ‘routinely translate anything’, adding: ‘Research among patient groups told us that they actually prefer the easy-read version, rather than a translated brochure.’

Miss Manning continued: ‘It wouldn’t take much effort to drastically cut the £23million of taxpayers’ money that is spent each year on bureaucratic and often duplicated translation . . . and free the money up for treating patients.’

The report reveals that trusts across Birmingham spent £4.9million on translation and interpreters last year.

Other big spenders include Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which spent £3.7million; Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which spent £2.4million; and London-based Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which spent £2million.

Emma Boon said taxpayers would be shocked by the figures

Emma Boon said taxpayers would be shocked by the figures

Emma Boon, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Taxpayers will be shocked that so much is being spent on translation and interpretation in the NHS.

They expect their money to be going towards treatment for sick people, not on language services.

‘There will always be a need for some interpretation – for example, if people visiting the UK get sick and need emergency treatment.

‘But those who live in Britain should make an effort to learn to speak English so that they  are not burdening services like the NHS with ongoing costs  for translation.’

The report also examines the effects of using translators on society.

It questions whether catering to those who do not speak the language is helpful, or instead ostracises them from the English-speaking majority.

Many public bodies provide translations, but their legal obligation is far from clear.

The Human Rights Act only requires translations if someone is arrested or charged with a criminal offence – but the Race Relations Act says that all parts of the community should have access to services. 

It emerged last year that  the Ministry of Justice spent more than £100million in six years on translation. The Ministry is now cutting its budget by £2billion.

By the next general election, it plans to have closed almost 150 courts.

In August, it was reported that the police had spent £82million on translators in three years.

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

You think this is bad? have a look at how much the police are HAVING to spend on translation services!

This just proves that the rest of the World flock to the UK to take advantage of our free health care. Our medical profession is too conceited and arrogant to check patients’ entitlement, saying it is ‘not their job’. Oh yes it is while we are paying you!

I think you’ll find that the NHS spends peanuts on translators. What they DO spend a lot of money on is INTERPRETERS.

I work for the NHS. Last week we hired a Polish translator at a cost of £45 per hour (excluding VAT) and we had to pay for a minimum of 2 hours. The patient never turned up. But we still had to pay the translator.

To Alexander, Saffron Walden – Well done you! How many people have you just encouraged to claim benefits they are not entitled to? You numpty!

Simple we can’t afford it anymore, we are all having to tighten our belts, so this seems a good place to start. I have lived and travelled all over the world and whether it’s doctors,pharmacists or hospital the onus has always been on me to make myself understood and to take someone with me to translate. I have never thought this was unfair and would never have expected it to be any different. It’s time the leaders of this country stopped trying to be Mr Really Nice to every con artist who drops by.

Anyone will say they need a translator if it is free. Tell them it will cost them if they do not bring a friend or relative to do it and SURPRISE!, SURPRISE!, they will suddenly understand everything you say.

I can not wait to cast my vote at the next election!

The whole business of providing translators and printing information leaflets in numerous languages is costing public services, including health services, education services and housing services, an absolute fortune. It is right to say that this is encouraging segregation. If a woman has been brought into this country as a bride of an “arranged marriage” what protection can she expect if she cannot speak the language and is being abused? No-one should be allowed to permanently settle in Britain until they have demonstrated a good understanding of the language.

Saving £23 million is very easy, simply check everyone especially non English speakers to see if they are entitled to treatment at all. If they aren’t cash, insurance or basic life preservation only like the rest of the world does to UK residents. It’s strange to me that as a UK taxpayer you can wait hours for treatment , get jumped on by security staff for simply asking a member of staff firmly but politely why you are not being dealt with when people are clearly just wandering about or in a case I saw playing a video game yet nobody EVER bothers checking peoples right to treatment in an effort to save on unecessary costs and workload on our NHS.

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