Please see below an example of the letters being sent to our members by Pearl Linguistics. We are sharing this in order to highlight how unacceptable in tone and level of professionalism this is.

Dear (interpreter),

We have recently started our contract with…[hospital name].

A couple of interpreter DNAs this week made us realize that some of you may not have realized what this contract is about.

It’s a Children’s Hospital. Patients are vulnerable children in poor health.

Working for Children’s Hospital comes with great responsibilities and means working with patients that are far more vulnerable than others. Every time you are late or do not attend for any reason, you are letting a child in need down!

Every time you are late or you don’t attend appointment child won’t get the crucial treatment they need.

Attending the booking is very important, it’s a lifesaving responsibility. Could you live with the fact that small baby didn’t receive the much needed treatment because you did not attend the booking?

Do you ever think what happens when you are late or you do not turn up to a booking?

We expect our interpreters to have empathy and imagine how they would feel if their right to communicate with a doctor was taken away from them. What if it was your child, little sister who had to wait for hours in hospital corridors and had to go home in the end without treatment?

Interpreters who do not see this themselves and who don’t feel for children we work for should not accept bookings for Children Hospital at all.

If you ever need to cancel appointment, you need to give us sufficient notice. Our cancellation policy demands from you to contact your Booking Coordinator directly at least 48 HOURS BEFORE THE SESSION!

Please make sure you speak to your dedicated Booking Coordinator yourself. Don’t send an e-mail or leave a voice mail!

We need collaboration from all of you to help vulnerable children in…[hospital name].

Thank you.

PEARL TEAM