Language barriers shouldn’t mean worse patient outcomes
Train NHS staff to communicate clearly and confidently, with and without interpreters, so patients who speak English as a Foreign Language stay safe.
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SOUND FAMILIAR?
Interpreter shortages. Rising language need. Growing clinical risk.
The number of patients requiring interpreters is increasing.
There is no ring fenced budget for interpreting, and interpreter shortages continue.
Staff know it is unsafe to use family members to interpret, yet it still happens.
Even when interpreters are present, meaning can shift. When complaints arise, it is difficult to know what went wrong.
Patients from other countries are dealing with complex medical language, an unfamiliar healthcare system, cultural differences, and in some cases low health literacy and anxiety.
What the data shows
Serious consequences for patient safety
According to the 2023 report from MBRRACE-UK, women in the UK who do not speak English are 25 times more likely to die in pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period compared to English speaking women.
Data reported by BBC in 2023 found that interpreting problems were identified as contributing factors in at least 80 cases where babies died or suffered serious brain injury in England between 2018 and 2022. The same investigation revealed that some NHS staff were using online translation tools to deliver serious and devastating news.
This is not about blame.
It is about risk.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY
Communication training will not fix interpreter shortages. But it will mitigate risk.
With training, NHS staff can:
- Communicate more clearly, whether or not an interpreter is present
- Reduce misunderstanding and repetition
- Make interpreting interactions more efficient
- Spot unsafe interpreting practices
- Support patients to feel calmer and better understood
And that's exactly what you'll learn in these workshops
“When doctors communicate effectively, patients’ distress and anxiety are lessened.”
British Medical Journal (Maguire)
HI, I'M SHELLEY PURCHON
I’m the founder of English Unlocked and for 25 years I taught English to people from all over the world. I learned how to adjust my language so that people could understand complex information without feeling patronised.
When I made simple changes to the way I spoke, I saw visible relief. Communication became calmer and more effective.
In 2019, I founded English Unlocked to bring those communication skills to staff working in the public sector.
In 2022, together with leading interpreter Marta Leigh, I co authored the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Training guides: How to work effectively with interpreters and translators. Our training now supports NHS staff across the UK to reduce communication risk and improve patient experience.
Imagine your communication three months from now
Clearer conversations. Safer consent. Less stress.
Staff:
- Use shorter, clearer instructions
- Slow down naturally without sounding patronising
- Allow processing time
- Check understanding effectively
- Adapt language to patient ability
Patients:
- Feel calmer and less anxious
- Understand treatment and consent
- Experience fewer misunderstandings
- Participate more confidently in decisions
Workshops To Help You Overcome Language Barriers for Improved Patient Experience and Safety
Practical details
✔️ Each workshop lasts 2 hours.
✔️ Up to 20 participants per session.
✔️ Face-to-face or online.
✔️ Prices for groups range from £600 to £800.
✔️If it’s just for you, we’ll get in touch when our next ticketed session is taking place.
✔️ An eLearning option is available.
What Particpants Say...
“Highly recommend this course. It’s succinct, interactive, and full of realistic implementations for improving day to day practice immediately!” Michelle Impey, Midwife
5 Star Feedback
This training is for you if
You work in any healthcare setting, including-
- Clinical and non-clinical staff
- Primary, secondary, tertiary and community care
- Maternity services
- Reception staff
- Dentistry
Case study: Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust
Trust-wide eLearning implementation
In 2020, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust commissioned a short modular eLearning course for their entire workforce.
Results showed:
- 86 percent felt more able to communicate effectively
- 82 percent found communication less stressful
The course continues to be promoted throughout the Trust.
Watch this short video to learn how we helped staff at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to communicate better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions below
How long is the training?
All our workshops are 2 hours long. The eLearning version of Workshop 1 is less than one hour.
Can you hold this training in-house?
Yes. We can deliver the workshop online or in-house. Depending on your location, in-person training may incur a small additional cost.
Who delivers the training?
Workshop 1 is delivered by our founding director, Shelley Purchon. Workshop 2 is delivered by leading interpreter Marta Leigh.
Is this just for groups?
No, we also deliver training to individuals, who can book on to mixed-group sessions. These sessions don’t focus on health and social care research, the tips are more generalised to staff in a wide range of roles. To find out more, request a mixed group session when you click on ‘Enquire now.’ In our reply we’ll let you know which workshops we have coming up, and we’ll add your name to the waitlist if nothing is scheduled already. Prices start at £60 per person.
Is there any follow-up?
Yes. Bespoke workshops include a consultation before and after the workshop.
Is the workshop accessible for staff with different learning styles?
Yes. The session is interactive, visual and practical, with plenty of examples, opportunities to try techniques and space to ask questions.
Can we add your eLearning course to our Learning Platform?
Yes. All courses are SCORM compliant.
Do you have eLearning versions of both workshops?
Yes. Both workshops are available in eLearning format.
Can you provide consultancy on commissioning interpreting services?
Yes. Book a free Discovery Call. We are independent and not affiliated with any interpreting agency.
Can you help us monitor the quality of our current interpreting services?
Yes. Email Shelley Purchon to request our free staff survey tool. No purchase is required. info@englishunlocked.co.uk
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