CULTURALLY SAFE AND INCLUSIVE SERVICES
We provide information in multiple languages and interpreting services to better service our culturally and linguistically diverse clients .
What does the data tell us ? In FY 2022 / 2023 :
Interpreter support
The catchment area for Merri services is highly diverse , culturally and linguistically . Interpreter support enables clients to communicate their needs in the language they are most comfortable with and enable them to have meaningful involvement in care planning and making informed choices about their health care .
1022 interpreter bookings were completed , 23 % decrease in interpreter services used to due NDIS services ceasing
A 3 % increase in Cantonese requested interpreter services
Interpreter bookings completed
Period Face-to-face Telephone Video Total 2021 / 2022 658 665 7 1330
2022 / 2023 583 437 2 1022
The demand for over the phone interpreting services has decreased as Covid-19 cases within the community reduced .
Variance 20 / 21 + 21 / 22
-75 -228 -5 -308
Top 10 languages
The top five languages were Arabic ( 31 %), Italian ( 21 %), Greek ( 13 %), Mandarin ( 8 %) and Turkish ( 5 %). Farsi and Vietnamese requests decreased over the past year , while Cantonese requests increased .
31 % ( 315 )
Arabic
21 ( 217 )
Italian
11 % ( 112 )
All other languages
( 28 )
13 % ( 133 )
Greek
8 % ( 78 )
Mandarin
2 % ( 17 )
Macedonian
2 % ( 17 )
Croatian
5 % ( 55 )
Turkish
3 % ( 31 )
Cantonese
2 % ( 18 )
Vietnamese
3 % ( 29 )
Farsi
Merri Health Annual Report 2023 69