Freiburg trains 50 interpreters to bridge language gaps in healthcare
A new initiative in Freiburg has trained 50 interpreters to help patients with limited German skills access medical care. The project, called Interpreting in Medical Settings, received state funding from Baden-Württemberg. Organisers say it will improve communication in hospitals and doctors’ offices across the region. The city of Freiburg, the German Red Cross (DRK), and Freiburg University Hospital worked together to develop the programme. The interpreters underwent 40 hours of specialised training to prepare for medical environments. They now cover 30 languages, including Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Arabic, and Tigrinya.
The project also created a centralised network for booking interpreters. Doctors and hospitals can now request assistance through a single system. This ensures faster and more reliable support for non-German-speaking patients. State officials have approved follow-up funding for additional courses. Future training will focus on areas like AIDS support, gynaecology, and hospice care. The goal is to expand the pool of interpreters and refine their expertise in specific medical fields.
The initiative has already trained 50 interpreters and established a working referral system. With more funding secured, further courses will widen the programme’s reach. Officials expect better medical access for patients who struggle with German.
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