Table 3 Prioritisation of other options of Language support

Perceived benefits of using family/ friends as interpreters

“I liked when my children came with me. If I didn’t understand the whole thing at the GP, they could explain it to me back home.” (139, Sylheti, M, 67)

“when I’m with my wife I feel very comfortable because what I want to say, my wife will say it in English. And what the doctor says in English, I know she’ll tell me properly. So I know that the appointment will go well. (274, Urdu, M, 29)

“[t]here are certain physical ailments where conveying it through someone from your family becomes very hard, there is an embarrassment. There are many things like that which you cannot say” (8 Sylheti, M, 63).

Symptom/ illness appraisal impacts choice of language support

“Sometimes I take my sister. Sometimes I understand… it depends on what the problem is. If it’s a small matter then I don’t need it [an interpreter]. But if something is more important or at a point where it’s a matter of concern, then interpreter. So, I understand what’s going to happen, what they’ll do. But not every time. Maybe if it’s a small headache then I can talk about it myself.” (84, Urdu, F, 35).

“we have mostly gotten an interpreter. However, we don’t get it all the time, if there are trivial problems, I can understand them myself. But if the problem is too difficult then we must use an interpreter. I need it then.” (445, Sylheti, F, 39)