Interpreter Services
Often police have already organised an interpreter prior to a medical examination but if they haven’t, the following information may help.
- Interpreting New Zealand has an office in Christchurch. Both face to face and telephone interpreting services are available (see separate brochure for languages spoken).
- Funding of this service is via PEGASUS Health.
- Booking ahead is advised but they can often help out even at short notice, though service offered may be by phone.
- Phone 0508 468 377 (0508 INTERPRET) and explain what language you require, timeframe & that Pegasus health is the funder
How do you know if you need an interpreter?
- Ask a question that requires more than just a yes/no answer. Eg What did you have for dinner last night? How did you get here today?
- Use the “Do you need a trained interpreter?” poster & ask patient to indicate which language they prefer to use
More information is available on the website and in the Blue folder on shelf above the desk in the clinic room
| Arabic | Italian | Romanian |
| Bosnian | Japanese | Russian |
| Cantonese | Khmer | Samoan |
| Croatian | Kiribati | Serbian |
| Czech | Korean | Sign Language |
| Dari | Kurdish (Sorani) | Slovak |
| Farsi | Malay | Somali |
| Fijian | Mandarin | Spanish |
| French | Montenegrin | Tagalog |
| German | Nepali | Thai |
| Hindi | Portuguese | Tongan |
| Indonesian | Punjabi | Vietnamese |