How can I get care in my language?
Southern DHB provides 24-hour language support in more than 55 languages. We can support you in hospital, or if you need to see another health care provider.
Languages we can provide interpreters for are:
Afrikaans, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Cantonese, Chinese, Cook Islands Māori, Dari, Dutch, English, Fijian, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malayalam, Malaysian, Mandarin, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language, Niuean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Samoan, Serbo-Croatian, Sinhala, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Tongan, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
If you do not see your language listed please contact us. We will try to help.
How do I get an interpreter?
If you have been admitted to the hospital, please let staff know that you need an interpreter.
If you need to see another health care provider, such as a GP, let them know as soon as possible that you need an interpreter. You can also contact us directly to arrange this - phone the Patient Affairs and Enquiries office on 03 474 0999, or email interpreter@southerndhb.govt.nz.
Interpretation services are free of charge.
How will the interpretation take place?
Interpretation services are usually provided face-to-face. Where an in-person interpreter is not available, we will arrange for interpretation by video or telephone.
Southern DHB uses the Language Line service for over-the-phone language support for non-English speakers.
All staff are trained to understand and respect diversity and many have undertaken additional sign language, cultural and linguistics training.