§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the(a) demand for, and (b) cost of, interpreters employed on (i) a contract and (ii) a casual basis by East Kent hospitals and the East Kent Health Authority. [57548]
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§ Mr. MilburnThe demand for foreign language interpreters in East Kent has increased since the arrival of asylum seekers from Eastern Europe.
The health authority has paid a full year cost of £19,000 for an asylum seekers nurse. In addition to this the Health Authority has paid £7,000 on interpreting services. Local hospitals also use on an ad-hoc basis and at no significant cost, a telephone service provided by an external organisation.