214 Ukrainian refugee interpreters working in bespoke primary care clinics – a case study of Irish policy in action

Abstract PTH 6: Health Policy and Health Services 1, B307 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 16:30 - 17:30 Migration is a global issue with significant public health implications. Cross-cultural consultations are considered a vital healthcare adaptation in resettlement countries, yet the provision of trained interpreters, the gold standard, remains difficult to implement. The 2022 Ukraine invasion displaced millions, with 110,000 Ukrainians granted Temporary Protection in Ireland (BoTP). In response, the Irish health service employed multilingual Ukrainian interpreters in specific GP clinics. The effectiveness of this policy is unevaluated, leaving gaps in understanding communication processes in these consultations. The research aim is to empirically examine interpreted consultations between Ukrainian BoTP and GPs in Ireland, analysing interaction dynamics and stakeholders’ perceptions to inform healthcare policy. This is a participatory health research study co-designed with NGO partners. It is a mixed methods, instrumental case study. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit patients (n = 21), interpreters (n = 4) and GPs (n = 3) in primary care clinics established for Ukrainian BoTP. We conducted Discourse Analysis of 21 audio recorded interpreter-facilitated consultations and completed individual interviews with GPs and interpreters about their perceptions of the interpreted consultations. The interpreter’s role is multifaceted, encompassing various responsibilities both within the cross-cultural consultation and the broader clinic setting. GPs and interpreters are broadly satisfied working together and emphasise the value of professional training to optimise communication. The shared cultural, linguistic, and experiential backgrounds of interpreters and patients creates a unique context within these primary care clinics, fostering deeper understanding and facilitating meaning-making between GPs, interpreters and patients. Collaboration between GPs and interpreters can improve patient-centred communication and support patient confidence. This study is the first to evaluate communication processes in interpreted primary care consultations in Ireland, providing key insights into the effectiveness of this policy response. In addressing a critical knowledge gap, it contributes to the broader field of migrant health, informing policies on interpreter access and equitable healthcare delivery.