The solution is live in the UK, with rollouts in France and Germany set for the coming months
Pocketalk, a leader in real-time translation technology, has launched the Pocketalk Enterprise App on Zebra Technologies’ secure mobile computers, tablets and kiosks, in healthcare environments, bringing together real-time, secure, accurate language translation with patient engagement and remote care in one trusted ecosystem.
Zebra is trusted by healthcare providers worldwide for its secure, enterprise-grade healthcare solutions, especially in areas such as digitising and automating frontline workflows. Pocketalk is a market-leading translation platform and a registered Zebra Independent Software Vendor (ISV) partner. This solution will offer healthcare workers an instant, seamless and secure communication solution which can be used across hospitals, clinics and community settings.
Recent research conducted by Pocketalk with UK healthcare workers revealed the scale of language barriers in the sector. Over a third of healthcare workers expressed concern about safeguarding issues due to language differences, while more than one in 10 said they face language barriers on a daily basis and the time spent amounts to more than half a working day each month.
Pocketalk’s app will enable frontline workers using Zebra mobile computers, tablets and kiosks to immediately translate conversations and paperwork, such as prescriptions using a device’s camera function, into over 92 languages including minority languages and dialects.
As well as providing a language translation service where there was not one before, the integration of the new technology will save staff from using other incumbent solutions that often take up more time to implement and cost healthcare institutions millions every year.
Jess O’Dwyer, Pocketalk General Manager, comments:
“Integrating with Zebra’s devices means Pocketalk is now more than a handheld translator — it’s a scalable, multilingual communication platform, trusted across care settings and designed for the real-world needs of modern healthcare. In today’s world, when a patient that doesn’t have English as a first language is trying to express their symptoms, needs a glass of water, or wants to ask where the toilet is, they should be able to do this seamlessly. In London alone it is estimated that over 300 languages are spoken, including minority languages that aren’t always covered by existing solutions, such as human interpreters.
Q’Dwyer continues, “This new collaborative solution means communication in healthcare is equitable for all. The need for instant translation services has never been more urgent. Proven, safe, and efficient tools need to be as readily accessible as any other healthcare tool used to support and elevate patient care. The recent NHS framework is a positive step, and it rightly recognises that language translation in healthcare cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. We need a spectrum of solutions – human and digital – to ensure the right tool is applied to the right scenario. This flexibility is essential to address safeguarding concerns, reduce delays, prevent unnecessary overspend and offer better, patient-centric care. Living in a highly diverse country means language translation in healthcare and other sectors such as education, is a necessity not a consideration.”
Pocketalk is already making a measurable impact across over 25 NHS and 30 Irish hospitals and primary care networks, including the Living Well Partnership where its technology has supported healthcare professionals with:
- Real-time translation during clinical rounds and consultations
- Supporting community care and home visits
- Reducing reliance on delayed or expensive telephone interpretation
- Improving care equity, clinical efficiency, and patient trust
