Interpretation Services

At NYGH, one of our strategic directions is People Come First in Everything We Do.  This includes advancing equity, diversity and inclusion for everyone working and receiving care across the organization.

Healthy people and communities are possible when every person has access to the resources and supports they need to be well. One way to do this is by overcoming communication barriers that can exist when accessing health care.  

North York General Hospital offers interpretation services so you can receive care in your first language. We provide qualified medical interpreters at no charge to you if you prefer to speak with your health care team in your first language.

Tell your health care provider if you require interpretation services and they will arrange an interpreter for you based on your personal needs.

We currently provide language interpretation services through over-the-phone, face-to-face or virtually.

Sign language interpretation can be provided either in-person or virtually.

Virtual Interpretation Services Provided:

  • Access to over 240 languages and dialects through Voyce Language Interpretation Services
  • Available 24-7
  • Private and confidential
  • Offers American Sign Language Trilingual (Spanish-English-ASL), Certified Deaf (ASL CDIs), and Quebec Sign-Language (QSL) Interpretation
  • Available to care teams at all NYGH sites.

Phone Interpretation Services Provided:

  • Access to 180 languages
  • Available 24-7
  • Private and confidential service
  • Available at the General site, Finch Site Reactivation Care Centre (RCC) and Seniors Health Centre

In-Person Services Provided:

  • Face-to-face interpretation is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Access 125 languages
  • Private and confidential service
  • To meet most interpretation needs, 3 to 4 business days advance notice is required. Two weeks advance notice is required for in-person American Sign Language.
  • Immediate ASL interpretation can also be arranged by your NYGH health care provider on short notice, either virtually or in-person (NYGH health care providers should see eric for details).   

If you require interpretation services while at NYGH, please speak with your health care provider.