Interpreter Services
*This Language Access Interpreter Services webpage is for service providers (health care employees and other external service providers) to inform them about the availability of interpreter services and the process to request an interpreter, along with supporting resources.
The role of an interpreter is to facilitate communication between people who do not share a common language. The interpretation process involves converting a message from one language (source language) into an equivalent message in another language (target language).
Unaccredited Interpreters:
Untrained, unqualified individuals who are called upon to interpret – these may include: Staff, family members (incl. children), friends, registered volunteers or bilingual-multilingual employees. They are authorized to provide language assistance for activities related to:
- customer service (general information or orientation, way-finding,)
- determination of need for/request for accredited interpreter services
- registration
- completion of forms not related to history, diagnosis or consent
- appointment scheduling
- activities of daily living
- routine menu selection (where there are no dietary restrictions or food allergies)
- friendly support (patient comfort, requests, emotional support)
Accredited Interpreters:
Trained and authorized individuals who facilitate spoken or visual language communication between two or more parties who do not share a common language by delivering the original message from a source into a target language.
- history taking, examination, assessment, and / or intake
- informed consent
- diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plan, care plan, discharge plan and / or related changes
- treatment, procedure or investigation
- nedication instructions and / or explanations of potential side effects
- patient and family conference or health information / education
- mental health issues and concerns
- use of seclusion and / or restraints
- end-of-life issues and / or decisions
- patient participation in research
- legal, financial and / or insurance matters
Requesting Interpreter Services
Service providers must request an interpreter on behalf of their patients/clients when required. Interpreter services are available 24/7/365 in-person, over-the-phone or via video conference in over 200 languages, and are free for patients in Manitoba.
Monday to Friday 0800-1600 hrs
Phone: call Language Access Central Dispatch at 204-788-8585
Fax: complete the Language Access Interpreter Request form and fax to: 204-940-8650
Email: complete the Language Access Interpreter Request form and send to
Urgent, On-Demand, Over-the-Phone Interpreter Services (24/7/365)
911 Interpreter Services is a third-party provider contracted by Shared Health Language Access to provide Over-the-Phone Interpreter Services.
2. Speak (or type) your unique Access Code: 15038
3. Speak the name of the language needed (alternatively type the first 3 letters of the language and press ‘#‘)
4. Within 2 minutes, your call will be connected to a qualified interpreter
5. Provide your first and last name and any other information requested by the interpreter
6. At any time, press “0” to speak with an operator (operators and interpreters can dial out and add other parties to the call if needed.
NOTE: For interpretation in Indigenous languages or American Sign Language (ASL), call Language Access central dispatch at Dial 204-788-8585 to be routed to the applicable department or agency. Language Access partners with WRHA Indigenous Health, Klvillig Inuit Services and the E-Quality Communication Centre of Excellence (ECCOE) for the provision of professional interpreter services for all language constituencies.