File on 4 Investigates

Lost in Translation


Listen Later

When people who don't speak English, including refugees arriving in the UK after fleeing war, they are entitled to receive the support of interpreters when dealing with public sector organisations.

The service provides a lifeline for some of society's most vulnerable people to help them navigate places like hospitals, social services and courts.
But reporter Matthew Hill hears allegations the service is seriously failing those who need it most - with tragic consequences.
Data obtained exclusively by File on 4 has revealed over the past five years at least 80 babies have died or suffered serious brain injuries in NHS maternity units in England, where interpreting and communication problems due to language difficulties, were a contributing factor.
The programme also hears from an alleged victim of serious sexual abuse who says she was unable to give police an accurate account of her ordeal because the interpreter was so poor.
Campaigners claim huge disparities in the levels of qualifications required in public service organisations and poor rates of pay have caused an exodus of qualified interpreters, which they claim is putting some of society's most vulnerable people at risk of harm.

Reporter: Matthew Hill

Producers: Ben Robinson and Surya Elango
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Production Coordinators: Tim Fernley and Jordan King
Editor: Carl Johnston

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

File on 4 InvestigatesBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4

4.4

31 ratings


More shows like File on 4 Investigates

View all
In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,404 Listeners

From Our Own Correspondent by BBC Radio 4

From Our Own Correspondent

370 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,837 Listeners

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,683 Listeners

Crossing Continents by BBC Radio 4

Crossing Continents

77 Listeners

Profile by BBC Radio 4

Profile

106 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,817 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,086 Listeners

More or Less: Behind the Stats by BBC Radio 4

More or Less: Behind the Stats

895 Listeners

Witness History by BBC World Service

Witness History

961 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

1,940 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,060 Listeners

Moral Maze by BBC Radio 4

Moral Maze

58 Listeners

The Audio Long Read by The Guardian

The Audio Long Read

834 Listeners

The Briefing Room by BBC Radio 4

The Briefing Room

74 Listeners

Today in Focus by The Guardian

Today in Focus

981 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

746 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

2,974 Listeners

The Slow Newscast by The Observer

The Slow Newscast

172 Listeners

The Story by The Times

The Story

252 Listeners

British Scandal by Wondery

British Scandal

2,416 Listeners

Double Jeopardy - UK Law and Politics by Ken Macdonald KC and Tim Owen KC

Double Jeopardy - UK Law and Politics

5 Listeners

The Trial: Kim Kardashian by Daily Mail

The Trial: Kim Kardashian

141 Listeners

The Gift by BBC Radio 4

The Gift

48 Listeners

The History Podcast by BBC Radio 4

The History Podcast

32 Listeners