To think the nurses shouldn't have spoken in a different language in front of me?

[ColouringTheBrain]

If I start by saying I think our NHS staff do a great job I'm not looking to be flamed, I genuinely want to know if I'm BU.

I had to go to the hospital today, the nurse that initially dealt with me was kind and gentle, also in the room was a colleague of hers ( another nurse). The nurse took my bloods, then went to get another machine, it was then that the two nurses started talking to each other in a different language ( I'm not trying to be vague, I just haven't got a clue what language it was). It made me feel really uncomfortable as it was directly in front of me, whether they were talking about me, or what's on TV, or other members of staff I feel is irrelevant, I felt like they shouldn't be doing it in front of a patient. Obviously I didn't say anything, I wasn't feeling the best anyway, but I also felt slightly intimidated I suppose.

AIBU, or should I just accept it as part of the care?

"Scrounged

YABU

I only speak English but it doesn't bother me if other people speak to each other in their own first language. I'd only mind if they were talking about me.

I don't understand why it's rude. They are chatting among themselves."

How many times does this have to be said? They are not ALLOWED to chatter "among themselves" in a professional setting involving patients.

I also love the idea above that one nurse was asking another for a tampon!!! Because that is obviously a totally professional conversation to be having while caring for a patient?!! The nurses certainly shouldn't be assuming the patient can't understand them, whatever language they are speaking.

"wictional
...but really, people have a right to speak whatever language they want between themselves. The nurse could have been asking the other if she could borrow a tampon in five minutes, fgs."

No, they do not have that right in frontline situations with patients. This is not about their rights, but about the rights of the patient. Why is that so hard for some of you comprehend?

...to comprehend?

"Charlieiscool

English proficiency in healthcare workers is a requirement for safe care. If they can't communicate then they can't do the job."

Exactly. Others have also made that point - which is actually rather crucial - but there are those on the thread who are not listening. They clearly have their own reasons for ignoring points which are written clearly in simple English.

"ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe

Many of the posters who agreed with OP said they weren't British born and also speak several languages.
Hardly the natural habitat of xenophobia and Britain first."

Indeed. What a ludicrous "point" to make.

Not you - them.

I actually can understand and get behind the principle of casual chit chat not allowed in front of patients regardless of what language it is in.
I also accept what seems to be the rule in many(most) NHS trust of english only. It still wouldn't bother me,but if those are the rules in the workplace...those are the rules.

"brokentoaster

Think it's impolite and unprofessional. Feeling sick and vulnerable in hospital, away from home and not being able to understand a conversation that was clearly audible to me and taking place well within my earshot would add to my feelings of disorientation and alienation. I would hope the staff employed were fluent enough in English to do their jobs competently and be able to explain and translate medical info in a way I could understand in an empathetic way - so carrying on a conversation in their own mother tongue should be saved till they were out of earshot of a patient. I wish that didn't translate to some posters as right wing/racism/British First speak - to me it's about human compassion, empathy and professionalism."
Excellent post.

I think it's hard to say for sure it wouldn't bother you

In other situations yes but when you are feeling highly anxious your worries can go into overdrive and questions might pop up like did that word mean cancer, do they know the diagnosis that I don't, are they discussing how my operation isn't really as straightforward as I have been led to believe and so on

I lived abroad and even out of work I spoke the local language with an English speaking friend if in company. With apologies if we resorted to confirming some point via English! ( I was nowhere near native speaker level!) Basic thoughtfulness.

You'd have thought so, wouldn't you freshstart! I'm genuinely amazed at how many people would apparently be ok with being totally ignored and isolated in a social or professional situation, which is what this amounts to. I'm actually suspicious as to how many of them have genuine experience of living in a multilingual environment, so little does their attitude tally with my own experience of generally accepted etiquette in that situation.

This thread is bonkers!

The number of threads we see on MN where someone wants to make a complaint because the nurse/GP/doctor/sonographer etc made an inappropriate comment, or made them feel uncomfortable or anxious. Everyone piles in and says shocking! Complain to PALS! Complain to the Head of Nursing or Midwifery! Complain to the practice manager!

But here we have a situation where the nurses were unprofessional, acted inappropriately, communicated with colleagues in a manner that was exclusionary to the patient and exacerbated her feelings of anxiety and isolation. Those of us that think this is unacceptable are racist, xenophobic, Brexiter Britain First members.

I am a senior nurse. I welcome multiculturalism and diversity in the workplace, and am thankful that we have many HCPs from overseas working here in England. However if they cannot communicate effectively in English with both patients and colleagues, or their professional language (e.g. clinical terminology) is insufficient for the area they work in, then they should not be employed there.

That said, when I was pregnant we lived in Russia, and for some reason the doctors and nurses didn't realise I speak Russian, it made for some rather interesting discussions, its amazing what people will discuss in front of you when they think you don't understand them

Excactly.
That's why it IS rude for people to talk with each other in a language that the thirds party doesn't understand. You just know they're talking about stuff that they want you excluded from.
It's an exclusion thing.
I've lived and worked in other countries and this is not tolerated. Only in this country are people allowed to get away with it, probably because we are such pushovers and are so shit scared of offending someone.

.but really, people have a right to speak whatever language they want between themselves. The nurse could have been asking the other if she could borrow a tampon in five minutes, fgs.

Yuck.
No thanks.

Borrow a tampon

Ooh are we all deplorables then? I hadn't read the thread.

This is how daft Hilary alienated half her electorate!

Before I comment I'd like to stress I voted REMAIN!

YANBU Op, it was unprofessional of the nurses and if they need to chat about something then it should be done away from the patient, be it in their own language or not! I can totally understand how you would have felt.

Last year I was sat in A and E, in a bay, with my daughter, waiting 2 hours for bloods to be done. By a doctor that had to be summonsed for it because the 6 nurses stood at the desk, chatting about a hen do, and so and so getting off with whoever, didn't do blood tests. This is not the first time I've seen this. Sat pre surgery in one of those waity-cubicle thingies listening to the matron carping about lack of staffing. Wish they'd all done it in another language.

Whatever is taught, it appears to be not terribly well observed once in the workplace.

This shouldn't be about the language - that does sound racist. There should be no bloody chat amongst the staff whilst with patients. For some it's a vocation, for others it is quite clearly a job.

And no, I will not try to underline my point by saying 'I know because I work as xxxxx, or speak xxxxx or was born xxxx. Anybody can say anything on the Internet and these things don't validate an opinion any more than not writing it.

You should always talk in the native tongue, or a tongue that everyone present understands, out of politeness. How anyone can argue aqainst that, is beyond me.... when in rome......

YANBU. I used to work in a hospital and it was made very clear to.all staff that they had to speak in English when on duty. Off duty is a different matter.

To posters who are suggesting that maybe one nurse was new and needed "technical stuff" explained to her in her own language... Really? Do you really think it's ok for HCP to not be able to understand clinical/ technical language? What would happen if the other nurse on duty only spoke English? HCPs need to have a good standard of written and verbal.English if patients are to be kept safe, whether or not English is their first language.

It's nothing to do with racism, it's basic respect, professionalism and patient safety.

It's really not "racist" to not want people to carry on a secret conversation which deliberately excludes you when you are in a vulnerable situation. But chit chat in English about irrelevant shit is wrong too. Save it for later.

The reason HCPs' views are more important than yours in the grand scheme of things is because they are actually involved and it's reassuring to see that many of them realise it's not appropriate to act in this way when treating a patient.

YANBU. I was brought up to believe that speaking in a language that others present can't understand is rude. These nurses were rude and, given that the importance of communication is stressed in nurse training, they were also unprofessional.

YANBU. I am bilingual and I think it is rude and unprofessional to talk in the presence of a patient in a language that they can't understand. It can be intimidating, especially as you are in a vulnerable position, reliant on their care.

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