The customer service team at the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) has introduced a telephone translation service to help people whose first language may not be English.
Time2Talk offers a customer service function for members of the public, local authorities, members of parliament or healthcare professionals working within the Black Country.
The team listens to concerns or complaints raised in confidence, provide information and advice to help offer a resolution and signpost to the right department where necessary. They can also pass on any compliments to the relevant team or person.
In March, Time2Talk introduced an on-demand telephone translation service, Wordskii, for Black Country patients.
Wordskii is a cloud-based management system provide via Word360 which helps organisations communicate in more than 350 languages using professional experienced interpreters through remote telephone technologies as and when needed.
To contact a member of the Time2Talk team with the help of an interpreter, people should dial 0121 661 7501 and enter the relevant language code, where they will be connected to an interpreter. A full list of language codes can be found here.
Shane Darby, Customer Services Manager at the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “The feedback that the Time2Talk team receives provides a valuable source of information about the quality of the services that are provided within the Black Country.
“However, we recognise that not all of our population speak English as their first language which may be a barrier when it comes to them sharing their personal experience of accessing local healthcare services.
“We’re delighted to have now introduced this new telephone translation system so all patients in the Black Country have equal access to share their experiences with us.”
People can contact Time2Talk by calling 0121 612 4110 or by emailing bcicb.
