The Barts Health Bilingual Health Advocacy and Interpreting Service (BHAIS) provides a dedicated and valuable service to patients, relatives and carers who do not speak English as a first language, or for users of sign language.

BHAIS facilitates face to face communication between health professionals and service users by bridging the language and cultural barrier, giving patients better access to health and social care services.

BHAIS assists patients to make informed choices about their health with full involvement in their care plan and treatment.

The service is directly accessible and available to service users and the community for self-referrals, enabling them to gain access and information about their care and treatment. BHAIS also delivers services to the Barts Health Clinical Academic Groups, and through agreements with:

• Saint Joseph’s Hospice
• Richard House Children Hospice
• Barking Birthing Centre
• Tower Hamlets Community Services (managed by GPs)