April 26, 2010
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation > News & Events > Media Room > April 26, 2010

Donors help expand Punjabi/Hindi interpreter services in SMH ER

Surrey, B.C. – Two donations to Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation are helping the hospital’s Emergency Department expand its on-site Punjabi & Hindi interpreter services.

Gifts from AMC Insurance Services Ltd and an anonymous donor’s Will are funding an extra 36 hours a week for the next year. Both donors had requested their contributions support interpreter services.

“It’s gratifying to see this donation directly help people who are seeking emergency care,” says AMC Insurance owner Jaswinder Parmar.

With the increase in hours, the on-site interpreter service is available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day in the ER – BC’s busiest with more than 87,000 visits a year. During overnight hours, telephone and on-call interpreter services are available.

“This is a valuable service that frequently helps communication between Punjabi and Hindi speaking patients and emergency health care providers,” says Foundation Chair Jacy Wingson. “Interpreters help staff assess patients, explain medications, and describe test results.”

According to the last Census, 27.5% of Surrey residents are South Asian. More than half of all interpreter requests at Surrey Memorial Hospital are for Punjabi.

Established in 1992, Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation has raised more than $50 million to purchase medical equipment, fund innovative programs, and support training and research.

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For more information or interviews, contact:

Jason Howe
Public Affairs Director
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation
604-585-5666 ext 8284
cell: 604-613-6873
jason.howe{at}fraserhealth.ca
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