Limerick firm unveils translation device to break down barriers in healthcare
Translit has unveiled a pioneering device that helps medics treating patients who face language barriers in healthcare settings. The Interpreter on Wheels, first device of its kind in Ireland, provides on-demand access to live video interpretation in more than 200 languages, making it useful in many settings where language can be a barrier to communication, including healthcare and immigration.
The device is already in use in 18 hospitals across Britain in both private and NHS settings. It offers on-screen access to its pool of interpreters, allowing interpretation to be mediated by a human, and not by subtitles or AI. It includes an antibacterial coating that reduces the risk of contamination and infection carried by standard mobile devices.
The device also uses an internal communication card that does not rely on mobile phone connections or the hospital’s communication or internet network, keeping both patient data and the line of communication secure. Inbuilt high quality microphones and speakers facilitate precise and accurate transfer of information between interpreter and patient or clinician, minimising the potential for details to be misheard, misunderstood or lost in translation.
According to Census 2022, 10.6% of the population on the island of Ireland speaks a language other than Irish or English at home, of which 13% report having poor or no English language skills.
CEO of Translit, Alex Chernenko said: “The language barrier can act as an obstacle to a number of public services and government departments, and is felt most acutely in a healthcare setting. The Interpreter on Wheels is a game-changer for hospitals. It not only accelerates access to qualified interpreters but also enhances safety by reducing the need for additional personnel in clinical spaces.”
Translit has a team of 45 full-time staff and a network of 6,000 freelance interpreters and translators, delivering critical language services where clarity is paramount – particularly in legal, healthcare and court environments. Translit’s service portfolio includes face-to-face interpreting, on-demand telephone interpreting, video interpreting and translation.
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