MediBabel Fans could lower high NHS translation costs

This page has been viewed 260 times.

February 2012 | Previous | Next

Content Consultants is a UK-based editorial agency providing evidence-based health communications for a range of media. Their international roster spans print, mobile and web in 20 countries. Their award-winning MediBabel Translation Fan is a new success.

MediBabel fans help health organisations to meet Care Quality Commission guidelines by providing translated information to diverse audiences. The fans are an affordable translation tool for frontline healthcare workers such as midwives, doctors, dentists, and paramedics (with other areas currently in development).

The durable, low-fi fans include subject-specific keywords and phrases, translated into 12 languages by native speakers. As a testament to their ease of use, the midwife fans are included in the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guide to Resources for Midwives, and 14,000 NHS midwives currently use this translation tool day-to-day.

The ‘Lost in Translation’ report* by the think tank 2020Health.org has revealed a controversial spiralling in NHS Trust expenditure (rising 17% over the last five years to upwards of £23 million in 2011 on translation costs). Content Consultants MD and co-founder Daphne Metland says: ‘Medibabel fans could be made available via ‘the hub’ - a centralised NHS repository which the findings recommend.’ Other suggestions, such as using web-based services such as ‘Google translate’, are a start, but the web is not always available in an emergency situation.

Daphne concludes; ‘Our fans offer "painless translation" because the editors at Content Consultants have considerable expertise in easy-to-read English, and we always work closely with medical advisers. So let's take some simple steps to lower the £60,000 daily translation bills!’

For daily updates, follow us on Twitter @MediBabel or @ContentConsults - [ENDS]

NOTES FOR JOURNALISTS
www.medibabel.co.uk

KEY CONTACTS:
Billie Crabtree on 01273 221488 | Billie@MediBabel.co.uk for samples
Sarah Morgan on 07789 956 966 | sarahm@contentconsultants.co.uk for images and PR

* ‘Lost in Translation: How much is translation costing the NHS, and how can we both cut costs and improve service provision?’ is a research paper by Dr Samantha Gann at the think tank 2020Health.org, via Freedom of Information requests to 247 NHS Trusts, published Feb 2012 with wide coverage in the UK dailies (http://www.2020health.org/2020health/Publication/Professional-Development/Translation-Services.html )

TESTIMONIALS
“A jolly good idea” East Sussex Local Dental Committee

“Everyone thought they were great and that the questions seem useful and relevant”
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust employee

“A brilliant innovation” Innovation in Business judging panel at Sussex Business Awards 2011

• AWARD WINNING
Last December, Brighton-based Content Consultants won the category for “Innovation in Business” (23rd Sussex Business Awards, Brighton)

• VERSATILE AND PRACTICAL
The fans offer a low-cost and instant communication solution in routine or emergency situations for frontline health professionals, including GPs, dentists and ambulance staff. “No need to look something up, log on to an app, or wait for a translator to arrive,” says Managing Editor, Anna McGrail; “You don’t even need an electricity supply. The fans are right in your pocket and you can get talking straight away.”

• COST EFFECTIVE
Significantly cheaper than alternatives. Helps to cut rising NHS translation costs.

• COMPLIANT
MediBabel fans help organisations to meet Care Quality Commission guidelines on providing information for diverse audiences. MediBabel fans feature subject-specific keywords and phrases translated into 12 languages by native speakers. Developed with input from health professionals.

• USER FRIENDLY
Handy in low-resource environments without electricity. Included in the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guide to Resources for midwives. At present, 14,000 midwives in the NHS are using the fans.