How PocketTalk is improving communication in maternity care

When a family arrives in maternity and English isn’t their first language, even simple conversations can feel overwhelming and in an emergency, those barriers can become frightening.

To help in those moments, our maternity teams are now using PocketTalk, a small handheld device that provides real‑time, two‑way translation in over 90 languages. It means staff can communicate clearly and quickly when an interpreter can’t be arranged in time, ensuring families understand what’s happening and feel supported throughout their care.

This rollout is part of a project led by Fiona Howard through the Chief Nurse Officer’s Research Fellowship, with new training and guidance now in place for staff. Fiona said:

“The introduction of PocketTalk seems to have made a real difference to the non‑English speaking families in Cornwall. Whilst we still strive to provide face‑to‑face interpreters whenever we can, PocketTalk means we can offer immediate communication, preventing delays and improving care. The device isn’t designed to replace professional interpreters, but it has the potential to improve outcomes for those experiencing vast health inequalities in maternity.”

It’s another step towards making our services more inclusive, responsive and reassuring for every family.