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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

485 replies

ColouringTheBrain · 04/01/2017 18:56

If I start by saying I think our NHS staff do a great job Smile 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?

OP posts:
Cherrysoup · 04/01/2017 22:04

Or looking down on people using their language the heathens! and overcompensating? I'm probably hugely wrong.....

Boogers · 04/01/2017 22:05

Gemma if they miscommunicate speaking in English about the differences of an FBC and ESR sample, how the hell do they cope with writing it down on the form? How do they cope understanding results in a trauma situation? In fact, how DO they cope in a trauma situation? The difference of 10mls and 100mls means life or death.

You're saying when you go to hospital you're happy to be nursed by someone who can't understand basic English? You go to A&E with your partner and the triage nurse looks at you blank when you say they're a haemophiliac with a nosebleed? Seriously?

grannytomine · 04/01/2017 22:08

Thinking about it I used to work in a police station and two of the sergeants were Welsh and would talk to each other in Welsh. The Inspector was Scottish and he used to write his notes in gaelic so no one could read them. I am no good at languages but my dad was Irish and I understood perfectly when the Inspector swore in gaelic which he found hilarious.

Sorry, totally irrelevant.

MudCity · 04/01/2017 22:09

Yes, it is definitely not ok to talk with a colleague in a different language in hospital settings, whether you are with the patient or your colleagues. The only time it would be acceptable is if you were speaking the patient's first language because they could not understand English.

This isn't about being politically correct, it is simply about being respectful and ensuring people are not excluded. I would definitely raise it as a concern, not to get the individuals into trouble, but as a reminder about good communication and inclusion.

BackforGood · 04/01/2017 22:24

YABU
They spoke to you in English and made you comfortable. When they used a different language thats fine - they werent talking to you at that point. I dont get this arrogance that says people must o bvously be talking about you if using a language you dont understand.

EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 04/01/2017 22:27

YANBU

its simply unprofessional as it would be if they answered their phone and had a conversation in front of a client some things you just do not do

interesting those working in health care are saying YANBU (would be where I work)

RebelRogue · 04/01/2017 22:30

YABU but only because it wouldn't bother me at all,a d tbh I don't quite "get" it. But that is probably my own limitation Smile

gunnsgirl · 04/01/2017 22:35

I don't work in healthcare, but as a member of the public I would find it rude, bad manners and unnecessary if both spoke English. It's also unprofessional and divisive in a customer service type role.

Boogers · 04/01/2017 22:37

We live in a multicultural society and there will always be a need for people speaking languages other than English when dealing with healthcare situations. Why do you think the NHS spends 1/6 of its budget on translators?

It would be very useful if speakers of languages commonly spoken in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and nearby countries with a fluent command in English and who were skilled and experienced in healthcare techniques and had a passion for nursing were present in British hospitals.

Ouch is ouch, commonly understood. 'It hurts in my temporal lobe' is a bit more specific, and that's where the language barrier comes into play.

Boogers · 04/01/2017 22:39

BackforGood is your first language English?

BackforGood · 04/01/2017 22:40

Yes, why do you ask?

Headofthehive55 · 04/01/2017 22:49

Unprofessional and rude in English culture.

RebelRogue · 04/01/2017 22:50

Also meant to add the the only possibilities are not talking about OP or last nights take out.
It would also be very likely that one was asking questions(if she was observing for example)about a procedure,what was going on ,how to do something etc. and it was a lot easier,quicker and accurate to use their home language for both questions and explanations. Not necessarily because they aren't competent or a good enough grasp of english,but because certain names,abbreviations etc might be obscure or difficult to translate .

Boogers · 04/01/2017 22:56

Just wondering what your perspective is. I didn't want to assume anything.

I work in a very multicultural environment. I'm not intimidated by people speaking a different language to me, as they do every day. But in a healthcare situation, no. The language my notes are written in is English, albeit healthcare English (which I understand). The language I and my family understand is English, so when my daughter goes on to the ward, and is confused by tubes and drips and needles, I expect that both she and I will pick up on some of the words being said and understand a little bit of what's going on. It's an English hospital. I don't expect to be spoken to, or overhear conversations in Farsi, Spanish, Welsh or whatever. Save it for the private spaces.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 04/01/2017 22:57

Not really, Rogue, the nurses work in an NHS hospital where all names and abbreviations are in English. It's what they use every day, nothing obscure about it. It's easier for them to use the English terminology, it comes naturally in the work setting.

CrowyMcCrowFace · 04/01/2017 22:58

I agree YANBU. Ish.

I live in an Arabic speaking country & have very limited Arabic. I obviously expect that if I am in the hospital/supermarket/cafe then people around me will be talking in Arabic because that is the local language & it's hardly their problem that my Arabic is very basic! Even if it's a situation where their doing so excludes me - that is my problem & the answer is for me to learn more Arabic.

Equally, I teach in an international school here & students get into trouble for speaking Arabic in class - the language of the school is English & it is understood that it is polite to use it, even for students for whom it is a second language.

That said, the OP's scenario wouldn't actually bother me, probably because I'm so used to being surrounded by people who are at work chatting away & only understanding one word in 3! - but I think it's reasonable for an institution to have an agreed language in which to conduct professional transactions.

If they were chatting about their plans for the weekend, then that is a conversation better saved for the staffroom, really.

So whilst I would not personally have been phazed by it, I agree it's not best practice. But would not have considered it rude or sinister, just a bit lazy/Inconsiderate.

Strongmummy · 04/01/2017 23:05

Cracking me up the way some posters are trying to work out who's right or wrong on this matter depending on how many languages someone speaks!!! To go against the general opinion that those who speak multiple languages and who are not natively British agree with the OP, I'm Anglo Arab with a hint of Armenian and think the OP is BU. Grin

DailyFail1 · 04/01/2017 23:08

Oversees medical professionals don't always have a great a command over English (mostly Europeans in my experience but occasionally from other places too) - sometimes it's faster and safer to explain in their language.

Princesspink999 · 04/01/2017 23:10

I'm amazed anyone thinks this is reasonable - it's so rude!!

CaraAspen · 04/01/2017 23:13

Some people just enjoy being contrary,Princesspink999. Perhaps it's the most excitement they ever get...

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 04/01/2017 23:15

Cracking me up the way some posters are trying to work out who's right or wrong on this matter depending on how many languages someone speaks!!!

Who said anything about working out who was right or wrong? I was trying to establish if there was a theme, dahling.

But I obviously missed the part about non native Brits being a factor.

You may be the exception that proves the rule.

CaraAspen · 04/01/2017 23:20

The POINT is they excluded her and conversed in a language she could not understand. How many more times does that same point have to be made?

IF they had had the common courtesy to tell her they needed to converse in a language other than English, to clear up a treatment point or whatever, then the OP could have avoided feeling sidelined.

But the bottom line is they were rude and unprofessional as posters with medical experience have stated.

watchingthedetectives · 04/01/2017 23:24

boogers
Why do you think the NHS spends 1/6 of its budget on translators?

Really - that's about 20 billion just on translators. Quite a spend!

Graceymac · 04/01/2017 23:25

When I worked as a nurse in London. Many of my colleagues were not English. The rules regarding communication with each other were very clear, all staff had to speak English during the course of their duties. Break times are a different matter, they can obviously speak what they like in their own time. Assuming these nurses were not speaking English I think YANBU.

IDontLookMyAge76 · 04/01/2017 23:27

I've spoken to patients in Chinese when it was easier for them to understand when asking or explaining things but always speak to colleagues in English.

OP, I'm can imagine I'd be uncomfortable in that situation so don't think YABU, shame it happened.