The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region has been using translators more and more when providing services.

Hospitals aren't required to offer translators, but in Regina, more than 25 different languages are offered by volunteer translators.  John Paul Cullen with the health region said that volunteers can translate everything from Afrikaans to Swahili and Spanish.  

When a patient arrives, the translator is called.  However, during an emergency, there may not be time.

Prince Albert's Parkland Ambulance uses a flash-card type of solution.

"They just point to the picture," said Lyle Karasiuk, "for example, there's a picture of allergies.  (We ask) so, what are you allergic to?  There's a picture of a dog, a cat, a flower...."

Karasiuk admitted they haven't used the cards much, but crews find it invaluable.

Edited by CJME's Courtney Mintenko.