British Sign Language plan 2024 to 2030
Communication Support Services - BSL/English interpretation
If you need a BSL/English interpreter to access:
- Highland Council Services such as Housing or Council Tax,
- Medical services provided by NHS Highland, or
- CAB or Highland Hospice services
The staff in these organisations should be able to book an interpreter for your appointment. However, if you would like to make sure one is booked you can contact:
Email: communication.support@highland.gov.uk
Text SMS: 07884 731378
Telephone: 01349 886650
All the interpreters we use are either SRLPDC or NRCPD registered, and appointments/meetings are carried out in strict confidence.
We can provide an interpreter for:
- Appointments face-to-face, or online Via Microsoft Teams, (e.g. GP appointment, Highland Council departments, CAB).
- Appointments online via Near Me (NHS), (GP/medical appointment).
- Duty appointments – Face-to-face or online via Microsoft Teams.
Duty appointments are to book a BSL/English Interpreter to;
- Make interpreted phone calls (e.g. to book a GP appointment).
- Translate something from English into BSL (e.g. a letter from the Council).
- Translate something from BSL into English (e.g. an email to the CAB).
Contact the Communication Support Bookings Team and ask for a “Duty” appointment.
All appointments: Please try to request an interpreter as far in advance as possible. It may not be possible to provide an interpreter for on the day requests.
BSL users can contact Highland Council or NHS Highland using Scotland’s on-line BSL video relay interpreting service - Contact Scotland BSL