CEO's blog: breaking down barriers

This work was shaped by the Denny Review, which highlighted language as a major barrier for many residents when getting the care they need. 

In Milton Keynes, we found:

• Opticians and dentists: Most relied on Google Translate or family members rather than professional interpreters. Staff were often unaware of available services like DA Languages or SignLive.
• Pharmacies: Similar patterns emerged, with informal solutions replacing professional support. Some teams even asked patients to bring their own interpreters.
• GP practices: Awareness was higher here, but usage varied widely. Even where services were known, time pressures and interpreter availability led to reliance on bilingual staff or relatives.
• Hospitals: Milton Keynes University Hospital showed mixed offerings. Some wards used technology like SignLive, but others lacked visible signage or Easy Read materials. Interpreter booking delays were a recurring issue.
• Across all settings, patients and staff were often unaware of their rights to professional interpretation, creating a false perception that these services aren’t needed.

Why does this matter? Language barriers don’t just inconvenience patients, they compromise safety, privacy, and health outcomes. The Denny Review called for system-wide action to tackle these inequalities, including:

• Consistent application of the NHS Accessible Information Standard.
• Visible information about patients’ rights to interpreters.
• Training for staff in cultural competency and equality legislation.

We shared our findings with the BLMK Integrated Care Board (ICB) and you can read the full report on our website. Whilst we highlighted this project in our 2024-25 Annual report, we paused publishing the full findings until we had received a formal response from the ICB. However, recent structural changes within ICBs (more on that below) have slowed their response, and we are still awaiting confirmation of their next steps. The Denny Review set out clear ambitions for reducing health inequalities, and we hope the ICB will continue to champion providers in delivering quality, timely access to interpreters and translation services for all residents.

Also in the spotlight last week was the news that all NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are facing major cuts, including a mandated 50% reduction in running costs by December. This has resulted in 18,000 job losses, mainly in administrative, management roles.

The cuts are part of Government plans for broader NHS reform to make the service "leaner," with potential impacts on ICB functions such as strategic planning and local partner engagement. The cuts are not being made directly to hospital staff, GPs or other frontline staff. However, there is real concern that cuts this severe, coupled with wholesale NHS reforms, will undoubtedly affect patient care. For as long as we remain part of the healthcare landscape, we'll be monitoring the impact these changes are having on residents.