Somerset FT Libraries: Patient and Public Health Information: Health Information in Languages Other than English

Finding information in a format that suits you

It is very important that you understand the information that a health professional gives to you. You can request the information in other languages or in formats which are easier for you to use such as Easy Read, Braille or BSL.

We have listed some resources which might help you on this page.

If you are attending an appointment at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, this link provides details about our interpretation and translation services and how to let us know before your appointment that you will need help.

Health Information in Languages Other than English

Most healthcare information is written or created in English.

If you need health information in languages other than English, the links below should be useful.

NHS Website - Health information in other languages
Cancer information and help in your language - Macmillan Cancer Support - Macmillan Cancer Support provide information in many languages and in Braille and other formats.
https://medlineplus.gov/languages/ukrainian.html - some technical explanations of, for instance, diabetes treatment, cancer tests etc with downloadable dual language PDFs
https://www.healthinfotranslations.org/language/ukrainian/22971/ - another set of downloadable dual language PDFs, some with sketches/illustrations to help
https://www.proz.com/glossary-translations/english-to-ukrainian-glossaries - PROZ is a website aimed at translators, there are also some general vocabulary lists
TRANSLATED HEALTH INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS - Doctors of the World - searchable for health information in many languages
http://www.davecurtis.net/phrasebook/medicalphrases.en.uk.html - the page at http://www.davecurtis.net/phrasebook/ also includes links to apps to help with pronunciation (looks like Windows only) and other tools that might be of use
https://www.easternhealth.org.au/services/language-services/cue-cards/cue-cards-in-community-languages - these are links to flashcards in a range of languages, including Ukrainian; they are bright and basic (for statistical purposes and to help with funding they may ask for your details)
http://www.picturecommunicationtool.com/index.shtml - this tool was put together by Mid-Essex Hospital Services around 2006, so some of the images may be a little dated, but they will hopefully help bridge the language barrier in the first instance. Again, they do ask for contact details before you download the set
https://www.healthinfotranslations.org/ - includes a section on hospital signage
As a last resort there’s also Google Translate, although “Use with caution”.
Depending on the language you need, there are other translation options, including Bing Microsoft Translate

NHS inform
NHS Scotland website providing in formation in languages other than English as well as BSL, easy read and large font

Easy Read Leaflets

Easy Read leaflets are written in straightforward English, often using pictures to help explain the text. These are available on various sites around the UK, including:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/about/resources/er/
https://www.nhsinform.scot/translations
https://www.easyhealth.org.uk/ - over 390 EasyRead resources