Cultural diversity
For interpreter services ring the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) Doctors Priority Line: 1300 131 450
Available 24 hours a day
Standard assessment tools, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) are not easy to translate and administer to elderly people born overseas and with English as a second language. Culturally appropriate dementia assessment tools are available such as the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Screen (RUDAS).
Offer written information in the preferred language and ensure it is written in an accessible format. Use independent interpreters where family is not available.
Interpreting services are available from The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).
Medical practitioners (defined as general practitioners and medical specialists) are eligible for free interpreting services and access to the Doctors Priority Line (DPL) when providing services that are Medicare-rebateable, delivered in private practice and provided to non-English speakers who are Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents.
Medical practitioners and pharmacies who meet this criteria can apply for access to free services and access to the DPL by completing the medical practitioners free interpreting registration form.
Translating and Interpreter services (TIS) information
TIS National provides access to the following interpreting services:
- Immediate telephone interpreting.
- ATIS Voice automated voice-prompted immediate telephone interpreting.
- Pre-booked telephone interpreting.
- On-site interpreting.
- Irregular Maritime Arrival (IMA) interpreting.