Health chiefs have spent almost £80 million on language and translation services since 2020 for patients who don’t speak English.
The figures come after it emerged last month that the Department for Work and Pensions was spending £8 million annually on translators for 90 different languages.
And in the past five years, more than 300 translation contracts worth £403 million have been awarded across the public sector, including by the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office.
John O’Connell, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Taxpayers will be lost for words at how much is being spent on translation.
‘With record waiting times for ambulances and A&E, it’s vital that as much money as possible is freed up to tackle the backlogs in the NHS. Trusts should look to cut costs by making more use of ready-translated material and pooling resources.’
NHS England spent an average of £15.8 million a year on services in the past five years, including face-to-face interpretation and translation and transcription, according to government contracts.
Since the pandemic, the health service has spent £78.9 million on such contracts, with the largest yearly one worth £19.5 million.
Jason Brown, founder of The Waste Files which exposes government spending, said: ‘People will be gobsmacked so much of their hard earned money is being spent on translation services by the NHS.
‘With waiting lists still far too long, record waiting times in A&E and millions unable to see a GP, ministers and health bosses need to think about diverting this spending to the frontline.
‘This is not just a problem for the NHS – across the public sector, hundreds of millions has been spent on translation services.
‘With the world a more dangerous place, the Government should look at using this funding to boost the defence budget.’
A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘This spending includes services to make sure the hard of hearing and blind people can access the NHS. We are making sure every penny is well spent.’
An NHS spokesman said: ‘Translation and interpretation services are a legal requirement and essential to deliver effective and safe patient care.
‘It is right the NHS offers these services for those who need them, including translations, sign language and documents.’
