Communications and Translations - FOI Response Register

1. BSL/SSE

• How many requests have been made to the Trust for BSL/SSE to English interpreters?
• How many of these requests were confirmed/fulfilled?
• How many were fulfilled by staff and how many by agency staff?
• What were the main reasons for an interpreter being unavailable to attend any unfulfilled requests?

In the past five years no requests have been made to the Board for BSL/SSE to English interpreters, however we were recently made aware of a clinical appointment where this would have been useful and have committed to doing further communication so all staff understand how to get this in place for clinical conversations.

2. Deaf Blind

• How many requests have been made to the Trust for deaf blind interpreters?
• How many of these requests were confirmed/fulfilled?
• How many were fulfilled by staff and how many by agency staff?
• What were the main reasons for an interpreter being unavailable to attend any unfulfilled requests?

In the past five years no requests have been made to the Board for deaf blind interpreters.

Does the Trust employ any BSL/SSE/deaf blind interpreters within the Trust, on a full time staff basis?

No

3. Does the Trust have a contract with a video relay service?

Scottish Government funded Contact Scotland is available for most transactional needs. Languageline is contracted to provide this service for clinical appointments.

Please provide a breakdown of the above for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and Jan - May 2024.