News release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

This study looked at whether Asian patients at Waikato Hospital who struggle with English were given an interpreter when asked to sign consent forms before surgery—a critical moment when patients need to fully understand what they are agreeing to. Reviewing records from over 500 patients treated in 2022–2023, the researchers found that roughly one in five patients who clearly needed an interpreter did not receive one. Indian patients were particularly disadvantaged, being less likely to receive interpreter support than other Asian patients. Patients with limited English were older than fluent English speakers, making them a more vulnerable group. The study concludes that current practices are inconsistent and fall short of ethical and legal standards for informed consent and that better systems and staff training are needed to ensure all patients can make genuinely informed decisions about their care.