How do I book an Auslan interpreter for a GP appointment?

In Australia, Auslan interpreting for medical appointments is free through the National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service (NABS). Your GP practice can book via nabs.org.au or call 1300 152 660. Bookings should be made at least 3 business days in advance. The interpreter can attend in person or via video. The cost is covered by the Australian Government, not the patient or practice. In emergencies, on-demand video interpreting is available through apps like Auslan Connections or through the National Relay Service.

How can a deaf person call a doctor?

The National Relay Service (NRS) allows deaf, hard of hearing, and speech-impaired people to make phone calls through a relay officer. For TTY users, call 133 677. For internet relay, visit relayservice.gov.au. For SMS relay, text 0423 677 767. For video relay (Auslan), call 1300 555 727. These services are free and available 24/7. Many GP practices also accept bookings via SMS, email, or online booking systems.

Communicating with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Patients

Practical guide for GP consultations. Interpreter services, communication tips, and how to make your practice accessible.

📋 Source: NABS (National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service). National Relay Service — Department of Infrastructure. TIS National — Department of Home Affairs. Deaf Australia. InterpreterNow (UK NHS). iSign NZ. SRV Canada VRS.
Your doctor or healthcare provider knows your history and circumstances — always follow their personalised advice over general information.

🌏 Works for all countries

🩺 I'm a clinician

How do I communicate with a deaf patient in the room right now?

👤 I'm a patient

How do I book a GP with an interpreter or access services?

🩺 For clinicians — right now in the room

If a deaf patient is in front of you and you have no interpreter:

1Write it down. Use pen and paper, your phone's notes app, or type on your computer and turn the screen. Short, clear sentences. This is the most reliable fallback. 2Use a live captioning app. Google Live Transcribe (Android, free) or Apple Live Captions (iPhone/Mac) — you speak, the phone shows text in real time. Not perfect, but fast. 3Face the patient directly. Many deaf people lip-read to some degree. Face them, don't cover your mouth, speak at a normal pace (not exaggerated), and don't shout — it distorts lip patterns. 4Use visual aids. Draw diagrams, point to body parts, use your clinical software to show images or results. Show medication packets. Show printed instructions. 5Video relay interpreter (urgent). Call the National Relay Service Video Relay on 1300 555 727 for on-demand Auslan interpreting via video. Available during business hours. 6Book a proper interpreter for next time. Through NABS (see below) — free, funded by the Australian Government. Always offer this for follow-up appointments.

Interpreter services by country

🇦🇺 Australia — Auslan interpreters (FREE)

NABS (National Auslan Interpreter Booking & Payment Service) — nabs.org.au or 1300 152 660. Book 3+ days ahead. In-person or video. Free for medical appointments.

NRS (National Relay Service) — TTY: 133 677 | Internet: relayservice.gov.au | SMS: 0423 677 767 | Video relay (Auslan): 1300 555 727. Free, 24/7.

TIS National (spoken language interpreters) — 131 450. For patients who speak a language other than English but are not deaf. Available 24/7 in 160+ languages. Free for GP consultations.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom — BSL interpreters

InterpreterNow — free BSL video interpreting for NHS appointments. interpreternow.co.uk. Also available via NHS 111 BSL service.

NGTS (Next Generation Text Service) — dial 18001 before any phone number for text relay. Free.

🇳🇿 New Zealand — NZSL interpreters

iSign — isign.co.nz or 0800 iSign (0800 437 446). Free NZSL interpreting for health appointments funded by the government.

NZ Relay — nzrelay.co.nz. Text and video relay service.

🇨🇦 Canada — ASL/LSQ interpreters

SRV Canada VRS — free video relay service for ASL and LSQ. srvcanadavrs.ca. Available 24/7.

Provincial services vary — most provinces fund sign language interpreting for medical appointments. Contact your local Canadian Hearing Services office.

Communication tips for clinicians

✅Do: Get the patient's attention before speaking (gentle wave, light tap on shoulder) ✅Do: Face the patient and maintain eye contact — even when an interpreter is present, talk to the patient, not the interpreter ✅Do: Use plain language, short sentences, and check understanding frequently ✅Do: Write down key information — medication names, dosages, appointment dates, instructions ✅Do: Allow extra time — interpreter-assisted consultations take longer. Book a long appointment. ✅Do: Ask the patient their preferred communication method — some prefer Auslan, some lip-read, some use cochlear implants, some prefer written ❌Don't: Shout — it doesn't help and distorts lip patterns ❌Don't: Exaggerate mouth movements — it makes lip-reading harder, not easier ❌Don't: Talk to the interpreter instead of the patient ("tell them that...") ❌Don't: Assume family members can interpret — it's inappropriate for medical consultations (privacy, accuracy, emotional burden) ❌Don't: Assume all deaf people lip-read — only about 30% of speech is visible on the lips. It's exhausting and unreliable alone.

👤 For patients — your rights

You have the right to communicate effectively with your doctor. This includes the right to a qualified interpreter at no cost to you.

📞Booking an appointment: Many GP practices accept bookings via SMS, email, or online booking systems. You can also use the National Relay Service to call and book. 🤟Getting an interpreter: Ask the GP practice to book an Auslan interpreter through NABS. It is free and funded by the government. You can also book the interpreter yourself at nabs.org.au. 📱Telehealth: Video telehealth appointments work well with interpreters — the interpreter joins the same video call. Ask your GP practice about this option. 📝Written communication: You can ask your GP to write down all instructions, medication changes, and follow-up plans. You are entitled to clear written information. 🏥Hospital: Hospitals are required to provide interpreting services. If you're admitted or attending ED, ask for an Auslan interpreter. For emergencies, hospitals can access video interpreting quickly.

Making your practice more accessible

Small changes that make a big difference:

📱Accept SMS/email bookings — many deaf patients cannot call to book 📺Visual call system — a screen in the waiting room showing patient names/numbers instead of calling names aloud 🔔Vibrating pagers — some practices use these for deaf patients in waiting rooms ✍️Written after-visit summaries — give every patient a printed summary of what was discussed, agreed, and what happens next 🔇Hearing loop — if your practice has a hearing loop, ensure it works and display the hearing loop symbol 📋Communication preferences on file — note the patient's preferred method in their file so every staff member knows