Launch of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Pilot: Community Pharmacy
This information was correct at the time of publication. Policy and guidance can change, so please check our latest news for the current position. For anything else, please contact enquiries@cps.scot
Scottish Government has officially launched a pilot for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) in community pharmacy settings. This is part of a video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users called ‘Contact Scotland BSL’, which is funded by Scottish Government. The pilot forms part of the wider commitment to improving accessibility and reducing health inequalities amongst Scotland’s population. The VRI allows BSL users to communicate with pharmacy staff via on demand interpretation services with a skilled BSL interpreter. The BSL user will scan a QR code with their mobile phone which then connects them to a BSL interpreter, allowing them independent, effective and secure access to pharmacy services.
Further information can be found here: VRI Pilot | Contact Scotland
The pilot does not require any additional equipment or additional cost to the Pharmacy, as the BSL user will use their own personal mobile device. However, pharmacies are asked to promote the service by printing and displaying the provided poster asset.
Please see here (BSL Video Interpreting Pilot for Community Pharmacy | Community Pharmacy Scotland) for further information including the full Scottish Government Circular and accompanying poster asset.
If you have any queries regarding the pilot, please contact BOSTeam@gov.scot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Scottish Government has launched a pilot of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) in community pharmacy settings. It is part of Contact Scotland BSL, the government-funded video relay service for BSL users, and supports the wider commitment to improving accessibility and reducing health inequalities across Scotland. Further information is available on the Contact Scotland VRI pilot page.
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The BSL user scans a QR code with their mobile phone, which connects them to a skilled BSL interpreter on demand. This allows them to communicate with pharmacy staff and access pharmacy services independently, effectively and securely.
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No additional equipment or cost is required, as BSL users connect using their own mobile device. Pharmacies are asked to promote the service by printing and displaying the poster provided. The full Scottish Government Circular and poster are available on our BSL Video Interpreting Pilot news page. Any queries about the pilot should be sent to BOSTeam@gov.scot.
