Interpreting Services

Medical Interpreters
A medical interpreter is a qualified, professional interpreter whose work is to convey to the patient in his or her language what health professionals say to the patient in English and vice versa. Interpreters are accredited by NAATI Level 3 (the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) and provide independent, unbiased, confidential, complete and accurate interpreting for both parties.

1. How to Access an Interpreter?
Most of the interpreting services within the Southern Health are provided by MMC and Dandenong Hospital. MMC Interpreter service organises services for Moorabbin Campus, Kingston Centre, Hampton Rehabilitation Hospital, Community Mental Health, Monash Breast Screen and Breastcare and SECASA. 

The languages provided by MMC interpreters are: 
 

All requests for interpreter services can be made via the pager during normal hours. After hours and weekends assistance can be obtained from the Telephone Interpreter Service by ringing the switchboard.

During business hours all requests for languages not provided by The MMC Interpreting staff should be passed on to the Chief Interpreter, ext. 42377, page 323. The Chief Interpreter is responsible for booking interpreters from outside agencies.


The Dandenong Hospital Interpreter Service also organises interpreters for other services such as SECASA, Mental Health at Dandenong, Dandenong CRC & CHS. The languages provided by the Dandenong interpreters are: 

All requests for interpreter services during business hours can be made via the paging system. After hours and weekends assistance can be obtained from the Telephone Interpreter Service by ringing the switchboard. Any requests for languages other than those listed above can be made through the Interpreting Service, ext. 48209 or 48332 or 48429.

1.3 Other services provided by MMC and the Dandenong Hospital Interpreter Services include:

• Written translations
• Cross Cultural training sessions for all staff upon request
• Training sessions on how to work effectively with interpreters

2. Southern Health Community Health Services
Each Community Health Service has its own procedures and protocols and purchase interpreters from external providers such as CHIS, VITS, TIS, private providers and from the in-house services. 

Last Updated: 20/12/2008