| Reference | FOI 2025/1383 |
|---|---|
| Description | Current demand (YTD) has been for interpreters and communication specialists for deaf people |
| Date Requested | 19/09/2025 |
| Date Replied | 10/10/2025 |
| Category | Primary Care & Strategic Commissioning |
We would like to know and understand what the current demand (YTD) has been for interpreters and communication specialists for deaf people so that we can structure our organisation response:
1. How many calls to service for a BSL interpreter, lipspeaker or translator have been made
2. What has the response time been
3. What has the failure rate been
4. What has the cost to the GM NHS been to service this
5. How many contracts are currently in force across Greater Manchester.
NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) consists of the following 10 Greater Manchester (GM) Localities: Bolton, Bury, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Manchester, Oldham, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. These localities reflect the former Clinical Commissioning Groups of Greater Manchester. Each locality currently has their own commissioning arrangements in place for interpreting and translation services.
As such, not all localities hold the information requested, However, please find below the information which as NHS GM we are able to provide.
1.
| NHS GM Locality | BSL average annual requests |
| Salford | 131 |
| Bolton | 229 |
| Heywood Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) | 180 |
| Trafford | 277 |
| Bury | 88 |
| Manchester | 370 |
| Oldham | 66 |
| Tameside | Information not held |
| Stockport | 198 |
| Wigan | Information not held |
2.
| NHS GM Locality | BSL 2024/25 – average response times |
| Salford | 15.68 seconds (average) |
| Bolton | 24 hrs |
| HMR | Information not held; however, the locality is currently in discussions with the provider to ensure this is included as part of regular reporting |
| Trafford | Information not held |
| Bury | Information not held |
| Manchester | Managed as part of the contractual arrangement. |
| Oldham | Anywhere between 1-2 hours, up to 48 hours |
| Tameside | Information not held |
| Stockport | Information not held |
| Wigan | Information not held |
3.
| NHS GM Locality | BSL 24/25 – Failure rate |
| Salford | 13.3% |
| Bolton | Information not held |
| HMR | No failures raised or reported, however the locality team are in discussions with the provider to ensure this is included as part of regular reporting. |
| Trafford | 31% cancelled/unfulfilled |
| Bury | 9 cancelled by the client (out of the 88) |
| Manchester | Managed as part of the contractual arrangement. |
| Oldham | Information not held |
| Tameside | Information not held |
| Stockport | Information not held |
| Wigan | Information not held |
