ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the difficulty of bridging the language and cultural gap between patients from ethnic minorities and UK health professionals who rarely speak their language. It examines the role of the Health Advocate in helping to guide the patients through the maze of bureaucracy and the often intimidating facade of white coats. For the basis of the study, the chapter focuses on the advocates, patients and health care professionals at the Royal London Hospital in the East End of London. Communication between patients and health care professionals is the corner stone of quality medical care. Interpretation services are essential in hospitals which serve large populations of non-English speaking patients. Patients undoubtedly perceive the need for adequate translating services. Doctors, conscious of the importance of communication skills, are very supportive of health advocates and wish to see the service expanded.
