This course explains when and how to use professional interpreters, including spoken language and British Sign Language interpreters, in face-to-face, telephone and video consultations. It gives a step-by-step method for booking, briefing, consulting and debriefing, with worked examples and a case study.
What you will learn
- Recognise when a professional interpreter is needed and explain why family members, friends and children should not usually interpret.
- Book the right type of interpreter and plan a consultation that allows enough time.
- Brief an interpreter before the consultation and conduct a three-way conversation using first-person, direct speech.
- Check understanding through the interpreter using teach-back, and handle consent, medicines advice and difficult news safely.
- Document interpreted consultations and debrief the interpreter where appropriate.
Course content
- Why professional interpreters matter (3 min)
- Why not family, friends or children? (2 min)
- Booking and planning (1 min)
- During the consultation: a step-by-step method (4 min)
- Consent, medicines and difficult conversations (2 min)
- Translated information and BSL in practice (2 min)
- Documentation and a case study (2 min)
- Common problems and how to solve them (2 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- NHS England: Guidance for commissioners: Interpreting and translation services in primary care
- NHS England: Accessible Information Standard (DAPB1605), updated 2025
- Equality Act 2010, including the duty to make reasonable adjustments and the public sector equality duty
- GMC: Decision making and consent (2020) and Good Medical Practice (2024)
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including 'Communicate clearly'
- HCPC: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2024)
- GPhC: Standards for pharmacy professionals (2017)
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.