Standards

GRIP is a service driven by the seven domains of the NHS Core Standards for Better Health. This ensures that customers, patients/clients and the general public know what to expect from GRIP as follows:

  • Patient Safety: GRIP help to prevent or reduce the risk of harm to patients by breaking through the language barriers between patients and providers. GRIP interpreters receive training on dealing with Child Protection and Domestic Violence, NHS Confidentiality and Incident Reporting. GRIP interpreters have CRB, immigration, health clearances and receive regular health checks and vaccinations.
  • Clinical and Cost Effectiveness: GRIP resources are committed to meet patients and health providers' needs. GRIP delivers services using clear performance targets supported by transparent financial systems that ensure best value for money.
  • Governance: GRIP has systems in place that challenges discrimination, promotes equality and respect Human Rights' legislation. GRIP interpreters contribute to the success of each appointment by acting sensitively and tactfully when applying knowledge and experience of cultural differences in the communication between patients and providers
  • Patient Focus: GRIP provide professional interpreters to meet the needs of all patients such as matching patient and interpreter's gender, particular dialect and/or disability. GRIP endeavours to provide the same interpreters for patients' follow-up appointments, and takes complaints seriously. Please click here to see the GRIP complaint standards.
  • Accessible and Responsible Care: GRIP provides equitable and accessible services to respond to continuity of care for all patients across all sectors. GRIP interpreters can be arranged with less than 24 hours notice, and if an interpreter fails to attend, GRIP will arrange for phone assistance up to 10 minutes free of charge. GRIP's current provision rate is 97% of all bookings received.
  • Safe Working Environments: GRIP interpreters follow strict NHS health and safety regulations, and NHS confidentiality principles. They are also trained to take steps to minimise environment risks to patients, staff and visitors by reporting any incident that may compromise their safety.
  • Public Health: GRIP actively works to improve access to health services, reduce health inequalities and the risk of clinical misdiagnosis, under referral and ineffective treatment of patients with language needs.