Australia RACGP Standards for After-hours and Medical Deputising Services (5th edition) C1.4: Interpreter and other communication services: the service makes an effort to use an interpreter for patients who do not speak the team's primary language and appropriate communication services for patients with a communication impairment, and offers resources that are culturally appropriate, translated or in plain English

What does C1.4 require?

Language barriers do not pause after hours. Practitioners and call handlers know how to reach the Translating and Interpreting Service, including its telephone interpreting at any hour, offer it rather than relying on family members for clinical conversations, and record language and interpreter need. For patients with hearing, speech, vision or cognitive impairment the service arranges suitable aids or a relay service for telephone contact. Written materials are available in plain English and, where the population served needs it, in translation or culturally appropriate formats.