Coming to Germany for medical reasons can be scary. If you don’t speak German and you’re nervous about communicating with the hospital staff, have a chat to Red Tape Translation about having a German speaker around to help.
Red Tape Translation just finished a rather large and unique medical interpreting assignment. I was hired for almost three full time weeks by a patient traveling to Berlin for surgery at a private clinic in north-east Berlin. As well as interpreting German and English in every possible situation for the patient and the family, I assisted with organizing accommodation, transport, shopping, cleaning, and errand-running.
Berlin is becoming recognized as an affordable and appealing destination for medical tourism, with exceptional medical care and facilities available. Most doctors and surgeons in Germany have an adequate grasp of English, but in this particular case, neither the hospital administrative staff nor the nurses in the clinic were able to communicate at all in English. The patient used Red Tape Translation to be admitted as a patient, to ask important questions about her medications, to talk to nurses, and to indicate her meal preferences, among other things.
If you are coming to Berlin for surgery of any kind and you don’t speak German, here are some ways that Red Tape Translation can make your medical stay in Berlin as relaxed as possible.
Before arrival:
– Booking accommodation based on patient needs and special requests
– Communicating with the patient and the hospital regarding formalities, questions, and concerns
After arrival:
– Airport welcome and farewell
– Accommodation key handover
– Coordinating wheelchair availability and taxis
– Interpreting throughout the hospital intake procedure
– Communicating with nurses and administrative staff
– Daily visits to to run errands, clean, and cook
– Concierge style services for when you’re feeling better
– 24/7 availability by phone in case of emergencies
Talk to Red Tape Translation about your visit to Berlin for surgery and get a personalized quote for the interpreting, organizing, and concierge services you’ll need while you are here.
About the Author: Kathleen Parker is an interpreter in Berlin, known for her work with English speakers who are trying to get German work visas and start businesses in Berlin. Red Tape Translation can be found at the Ausländerbehörde, the Jobcenter, the Bürgeramt, the chamber of commerce, in hospitals, or at business meetings helping Australians, Canadians, Kiwis, Brits, Irish, Scottish, Americans, and South Africans (among many other nationalities!) communicate in German.
I would like information for your service. I need assistant for my sister. She lives in Berlin. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and is working with the doctors to develop her treatment plan. However, language is definitely a barrier.
What type of fees do you charge for the service
I’m so sorry to hear this and also I know some time has passed since you posted this comment. If it is still an issue, she can hire an interpreter to come with her to medical appointments. Although many doctors speak English in Berlin, hospital admission procedures can be tricky without an interpreter and usually take up time. For this service, have a look at Take a Translator.