BRITISH pharmacy group, Boots, is to use an on-demand interpretation service pilot for non-English speaking pharmacy patients to broaden the accessibility of healthcare.
With an estimated 726,000 residents in England and Wales who cannot speak English easily, and a further 138,000 unable to speak English at all, the program is hoped to help almost one million UK residents.
The App-based system is called VOYCE, intended to be "patient-centred, easy-to-use and accessible via in-store iPads".
With just a few taps, VOYCE connects colleagues and patients with experienced interpreters who can translate over 245 languages.
The free service is currently being trialled in five stores across Belfast, Birmingham, Knightsbridge, Leicester, and Southampton.
Boots Pharmacy Director, Richard Bradley, said, the group had a history of being at the forefront of health innovation.
"This pilot scheme is a great example of how technology can help us drive better patient outcomes, through a simple, innovative service that will help our pharmacy teams make sure that our patients get the most from their medicines, without language as a barrier," he said.
Bradley added that the pilot is part of Boots UK's larger plans to transform its pharmacy experience for patients and customers.
Earlier this year, Boots developed the Free Online NHS Repeat Prescription Service, giving patience the convenience of ordering repeat prescriptions from their mobiles, arranging collection from a store or having it delivered to their home for free.
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