Click the link below for an introduction in the other 9 most commonly used languages in Devon:

     Introduction in 9 languages

Text translation

There are many free web sites that offer text translation from English into most of the major languages, and other languages into English.

You can copy and paste text into an almost instant translator.

The standard of translation is often basic - and is not approved for translating clinical information - but it may be of use and is usually enough to understand the meaning.

Many sites can also translate a foreign language web page if the web page address (the URL) is entered.

The links offered to the three text and web translation sites carry no endorsement from us, they are offered only for your ease of use. Other web sites offering translation services can be found by using any of the search engines.

If you would like to have pages on our site translated into another language, please use one of the services below. NHS Devon is not able to vouch for the accuracy of any external website.

• Altavista
• Free Translation
• Google

If you cannot communicate easily in English, you can still speak to us over the telephone.

NHS Devon uses a confidential and free translation service called Language Line to help communicate with non English speaking customers.

Over 50 languages are spoken in Devon the most commonly used being:

• British Sign Language (BSL)
• Bengali
• Polish
• Farsi
• Cantonese
• Portuguese
• Turkish
• Arabic
• Lithuanian
• Slovakian

To access the service, please Contact Us at one of our offices or community hospitals , minor injury units or walk in centres and point to your language on the Language Line poster in reception.

You will take part in a three way conversation with the translator and a member of our staff.

Your name and the details of the call will not be recorded.

A text translation and text to speech translation service is also available, alternatively, we may be able to put you in touch with a local translator.

This is a confidential translation and interpretation service our staff can access. If a you cannot easily communicate in English, a member of staff will be able to use the relevant Language Line service.

Language line is a confidential interpreting and translation service. It is used by NHS Devon to aid communication (written or spoken) between staff and their customers.

If you cannot easily communicate in English, a member of staff will be able to access the relevant Language Line service.

Language Line has a telephone interpreting, a text translation and a text to speech translation service.

All staff have access to Language Line's services. There should be a Language Line 'Language Identification Poster' in the reception of each community hospital and GP practice.

If you are a non English-speaking customer and walk into the reception, you can point to the language you speak. A member of staff will then arrange for interpretation through Language Line.

Language Line is able to translate and interpret to and from more than 140 languages.

You do not have to pay the Language Line charges. Those charges are covered by NHS Devon.

Language Line does not keep a record of your name or any details of the call.

British Sign Language can be provided at hospitals and GP practices if required..

For further details please ask at the reception area or phone PALS on telephone number: 0845 111 0080 or e-mail: pals.nhsdevon@nhs.net