What you need to know if you have a healthcare appointment and do not speak Dutch
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Do you have a healthcare appointment and do not speak Dutch? Then you may bring your own interpreter or acquaintance to translate your conversation. You can also use an official interpreter. Read more about this in this article.
You can use an interpreter during your appointment
Do you not yet speak Dutch well and have an appointment with the doctor, psychologist, midwife, dentist or at the hospital? Then the doctor can use an interpreter. This interpreter is free of charge for you. An interpreter allows you and the doctor to understand each other better.
Let them know that you need an interpreter when you make the appointment. You can also specify whether you would prefer a male or female interpreter. The doctor will then arrange the appointment with the interpreting service. At the time of the appointment, the doctor will call the interpreter. The interpreter will translate the conversation over the phone. In difficult situations or if problems arise, an interpreter may also be present during the consultation. The doctor will decide whether this is necessary. Some doctors do not wish to arrange an interpreter or do not know how to do so. In that case, you can refer them to the leaflet .
You can also use the
The card is intended for patients who cannot speak Dutch, such as refugees and migrant workers. Healthcare professionals also consider this important. It helps them understand more quickly what is required.
It is easy to use. Simply show the card to the healthcare professional. They will see that there is a language barrier and can arrange for a professional interpreter. This is free of charge for you.
You may bring an adult acquaintance or family member to translate
You can also choose to bring an adult acquaintance or family member to translate.
You can use a translation app during your appointment
Can you not manage to arrange an interpreter? Then you can always use a translation app as well.
Translating a website or text with Google
Google allows you to translate text into your own language in two ways.
1. Via the Google Chrome browser
Open the web page you want to read with Google Chrome.
Click the three dots that appear at the top or bottom right of your screen.
Then tap 'translate'. Choose the language you want the page translated into.
Please note: Are you visiting a website that is already available in your language? Then do not use the translation option in your browser. For example, for RefugeeHelp, you do not need a translation option.
2. Via the Google Translate app
With the 'Google Translate' application, you can translate a text by taking a picture of it or by pointing your camera at it. This way you can translate letters or other texts into a language of your choice. This works as follows:
Open the 'Google Translate' app and click on camera at the bottom right.
Choose the language in which the text is written and the language in which you want the text translated.