Breaking the language barrier : a collection of good ideas and practical suggestions which have been found helpful in overcoming communication difficulties experienced with overseas patients and staff whose comprehension of English is inadequate

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The King's Fund Centre first became interested in the problem of language difficulties with overseas patients when great concern on this matter was expressed by groups of `shop window' staff in discussion meetings at the Centre - the telephonists, receptionists and hall porters who frequently form the patient's first contact with the hospital. A questionnaire circulated widely throughout the country to health and social service authorities, voluntary organisations and interested individuals in an attempt to identify areas of need, produced a wealth of both problems requiring solutions and suggestions for improvements as well as a variety of visual aids to improve communication. The results are presented in this publication.

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