Reports from volunteers

Cardiology intervention by telephone which the doctor put on the loudspeaker. The doctor immediately put me at ease and listened carefully to what I had to say. As a doctor's daughter, I know what doctors expect and how to ask the questions they want, so I can be clear and concise. I know how to rephrase patients' answers. I don't know the patient or her nationality, but I was both surprised and delighted that she opened up without embarrassment or fear. That's why the interview was positive and constructive. The trust placed in me by the two people I spoke to was very rewarding, something that is sometimes slow in coming or fails to be established (trust).

I was called to assist in two interventions.
1. Emergency surgery for an Iraqi patient - I explained the procedure to the patient.
2. Translation for a young Syrian patient accompanied by his family. Anaesthetics department for a pre-op assessment.

Translation to help communication between the mother of someone who was in intensive care after a difficult birth and the medical team.

Intervention in the rehabilitation department for a patient hospitalised following fractures in both legs. Prospects: Inability to walk for 8 weeks. Explanation of use of wheelchair and prescribed care. Discussion of personal and family situation and ability to use a wheelchair at home. Verification of administrative procedures carried out.

Intervention with the discharge office on behalf of an American patient, a passenger on a cruise ship, who had been hospitalised the previous day. She needed a very specific certificate from the hospital to be allowed back on board. She was thus able to return to the ship and set sail for Brest.

Intervention with the patient's family, at the Saint-Malo Family Planning with the midwife for a patient of Georgian nationality. The patient was accompanied by a social worker. The intervention took place in Russian and lasted 30 minutes.

Intervention at the Gardiner Hospital in Dinard. The aim of the operation was to make sure that the patient (Chilean) understood the instructions given by the medical team and to get her feedback so that the medical team could improve the well-being and recovery of the 90-year-old patient. The medical team gave us a very warm welcome.

Patient from Azerbaijan, Russian-speaking, operated on 3 days earlier. Until then, the medical team had not really been able to communicate with him. The operation went very well, and the patient was able to ask questions about his operation, the possible after-effects, his follow-up, and so on.

Intervention in the cardiology department at Saint-Malo Hospital. Translation of advice from a dietician on the importance of keeping a close eye on diet and from a nurse on the importance of being vigilant for anything unusual.

Following a call from the maternity hospital in Dinan, I went to help an Aghan mother. I explained that her agreement was necessary for her newborn baby to have a blood test to ensure the absence of certain illnesses. The rapport was good and the midwife was happy that the patient had understood everything.

I attended the psychiatric unit of the hospital at Saint-Malo to assist a young Afghan who spoke perfect Farsi. The young man was knocked off his bicycle near Dol and the driver did not stop. His injuries have been treated but he's been left with psychiatric consequences, which is why I was asked to intervene. The psychiatrist and social services assistant said my help had helped enormously.

I was called to the Mental Health unit in Saint-Malo to assist with a Tunisian patient charged with attempted murder. Check for symptoms of schizophrenia to determine whether he could be held criminally liable for his acts. A highly worthwhile intervention.