PATCHS is primarily meant to be used in English, however, to make access to online consultations more equitable to patients who do not speak English as their first language, we provide an optional translation service. It is meant to facilitate communication with your GP practice not replace it. If you have any concerns about the accuracy of the translation that PATCHS provides, please contact your practice directly to use a human translation service.
How to use PATCHS Translate
To translate the text you see in PATCHS to a language of your choice, simply select it from the dropdown menu:
Because we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the translation of messages that are sent to you by your GP practice, when you reach the PATCHS chatbot, a warning is shown that says: 'accuracy cannot be guaranteed - if any concerns, please telephone the GP practice to use their human translation service.' This example is in Italian:
When your GP practice sends you a message, it will be displayed in English. You can then translate it to your chosen language by selecting it from the dropdown menu at the top of the page:
How safe is PATCHS Translate?
Because the translation function is provided by a third party, we cannot take responsibility for its accuracy nor indemnify its use - so it should be used at your own risk. Please see the End User License Agreement section 4.3 for more information. However, the accuracy and safety of translations of fixed text within PATCHS has been checked by a professional human translation service. By fixed text we mean text in PATCHS that has not been written by yourself or GP practice staff and always stays the same e.g. safety warnings at the beginning and end of the consultation process.
How are spelling mistakes handled?
PATCHS Translate can cope with spelling mistakes. It has been built using machine learning not preprogrammed rules, so it has learned over time how to correctly translate commonly misspelled words.
What technology is used?
Translations are provided by Amazon, though they do not store or view your data. If you do not feel comfortable with this you should not use PATCHS Translate.
