Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is piloting an app to help improve communication with patients across any language barriers.
He medical card The app is intended to allow healthcare staff to have accurate conversations with patients without the need for interpreters to be present at every interaction, which is sometimes not possible.
The initiative, funded by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity, aims to reduce health inequalities by ensuring that all patients receive the same level of information and care, regardless of language, sensory or cognitive barriers.
Kirsty Clarke, associate chief nursing officer at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “All patients should receive the same level of information, but we have identified a significant gap in accessibility for patients whose first language is not English.
“Too often, colleagues at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals rely on gestures and mimes to communicate essential health information, from explaining why a urine sample is needed to taking blood pressure. This is not acceptable when it comes to patient safety and dignity.”
Unlike informal translation methods like Google Translate, CardMedic uses clinically validated scripts that have been professionally reviewed to ensure accuracy and suitability for healthcare settings.
Provides access to live interpreters in more than 200 languages through Language Line, along with thousands of scripts in multiple languages and formats.
Doncaster and Bassetlaw have begun using Digital Health Rewired Pitchfest champion CardMedic following a soft launch in October 2025 across Doncaster’s emergency department, maternity services, fracture clinic and outpatient services.
These areas were selected to test the app in different patient pathways, from emergency situations that require immediate communication to routine appointments where detailed information sharing is essential.
The app was then rolled out globally in December for a 12-month pilot with regular evaluations to measure the impact on patient experience, staff confidence and quality of care.
Feedback will be collected throughout the pilot period to assess the difference it makes to patient treatment and care.
Tim Grimaldi, co-founder and CEO of CardMedic, said: “We are delighted to be working with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals on this vital initiative.
“Communication is fundamental to safe and compassionate care, but language barriers continue to create significant health inequalities across the NHS.
“CardMedic enables healthcare professionals to have meaningful conversations with every patient, ensuring that no one is left behind simply because English is not their first language.
“This pilot demonstrates the trust’s genuine commitment to equitable care and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on both patients and staff.”
Cardmedic secured £411,000 in funding from Innovate UK’s SMART Grants program in June 2025 to fund a 12-month project, running from April 2025 to March 2026, to scale and integrate a portal aimed at transforming the way healthcare organizations deliver language services.
Meanwhile, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust launched the health language app in October 2025.cross 455 bedside devices in 20 trust rooms Step by step Hill HospItalian.
