Barwon Health provides a professional, confidential interpreting service to ensure that you or your family member understands and makes informed decisions regarding care and treatment.

Access to interpreters by telephone or onsite are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. If you require an interpreter please ask a staff member to organise one for you through the Ethnic Health Services department.

If you or your family member cannot make a scheduled appointment at Barwon Health, please contact the department to cancel as soon as possible.

We welcome any feedback you may have regarding our interpreting services.

Ethnic Health Services

Ethnic Health Services at Barwon Health is responsible for:

  • Language services – Interpreter Bookings and translation of documents.
  • Staff resource and support – Information on customs, food requirements, etiquette etc. Useful tools such as cue cards in various languages.
  • Education and training – Arranging information sessions and keeping staff informed of current news and events, such as new and emerging communities.
  • Cultivating and strengthening partnerships with other organisations – Providing valuable resources and information, which strengthen our ties to the community.

Aboriginal Health 

Patients who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander can access support from the Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer, when attending Outpatient Appointments. Click here for more details.

Language services

Booking an Interpreter process

 Pre-Booked

If you need an interpreter later in the day or for future, please request through Interpreter Management system (IMS) – located under applications.

If you are experiencing any trouble with the IMS system, please contact Barwon Health Language Services on 03 4215 2344

Adhoc- Business hours

Within business hours, if you need interpreter immediately, contact Barwon Health Language Services on 03 4215 2344 and the Language Service team will redirect you to an in-house interpreter or to the right agency in accordance with required language.

Adhoc – After hours- Weekends & public holidays

If you need interpreter after hours, weekends and public holidays, contact the external interpreting Agency (Oncall Interpreting) on 03 8807 2300 who will request the below.

  • Your clinic name
  • Patient name
  • Patient UR
  • Duration of your booking
  • Gender preference

For more information after hours contact the After-Hours Hospital Bed Manager.

Page last updated: January 19, 2026