Caregivers on the Isle of Man faced a uniquely difficult question: When a patient does not speak English, where do you find a qualified interpreter quickly and reliably?
While approximately 95 percent of the island's 84,000 residents speak English at home, the remaining 5 percent communicate in a diverse range of languages including Gaelic, Polish, Filipino, and Bulgarian. That's roughly 4,000 people whose access to timely, safe care hinges entirely on real-time communication in their native language.
And the residents are only part of the story.
The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown dependency situated in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. It is known for its independent government and high quality of life. As a result, the Isle attracts thousands of tourists and business travelers annually. In 2024 alone, 12.5 percent of visitors arrived from countries where English is not the primary language. Each one is a potential patient who could need emergency care, give birth, or require urgent treatment at any moment.
Challenge: Supporting a Growing and Eclectic Mix of Languages
The challenge facing Manx Care was impossible to ignore: How do you deliver inclusive, real-time communication across emergency departments, labor and delivery units, and routine care when the next patient through the door could speak any one of dozens of languages—and when every second of delay could compromise care?
The answer came in the form of the LanguageLine Rolling Cart, a mobile, point-of-care solution from LanguageLine that puts professional interpreters within reach in seconds.
Solution: LanguageLine Rolling Cart Deployed at Noble’s Hospital
To address this need, Manx Care partnered with LanguageLine to implement Rolling Carts at Noble’s Hospital, the island’s main acute care facility.
The LanguageLine Rolling Cart is a mobile language access solution that combines:
- A rolling cart equipped with a video-enabled tablet
- One-touch access to professional interpreters in more than 240 languages
- Live video support for more than 40 languages, including British Sign Language and American Sign Language
- A secure, on-demand workflow that allows interpreters to be reached within seconds
The solution was first deployed in high-traffic departments including the Acute Medical Unit, Emergency Department, and Maternity. The LanguageLine app was also installed across community services and ambulance iPads. Laptops and desktops throughout the health system provide additional access points.
“This strategic collaboration marks a significant advancement in supporting clear and effective communication between healthcare staff, patients, and service users,” said Teresa Cope, Chief Executive of Manx Care. “It reinforces Manx Care’s commitment to reducing health inequalities and delivering inclusive, high-quality care for all members of the community.”
This collaboration marks a significant advancement in supporting clear and effective communication between healthcare staff (and) patients." - Teresa Cope, Chief Executive of Manx Care
LanguageLine Rolling Cart devices are easy to use and designed to move seamlessly between care environments. They are plug-and-play, require no advanced training, and integrate directly into clinical workflows.
“Language should never be a barrier to safe and equitable maternity care,” said Liza Munro, Project Lead for Women’s and Children’s Services. “This new service ensures that all women, regardless of language or hearing ability, can communicate directly with their care team through professional interpreters, including British Sign Language support.”
Outcome: Faster Communication, Greater Equity, and a Scalable Future
Since launching the service, Noble’s Hospital and Manx Care have seen meaningful improvements in both communication and care quality. Clinicians report faster decisions, clearer understanding from patients, and reduced administrative burden when coordinating language support.
The LanguageLine Rolling Cart helps:
- Minimize delays in care caused by language uncertainty
- Improve safety and trust among patients with limited English proficiency
- Meet accessibility mandates by supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients
- Enable a consistent experience across departments and settings
Manx Care is already planning to expand its language access program.
“We hope to have 20 additional Interpreter on Wheels devices across the hospital and broader care network by (mid-year 2026),” said Andy Reed, Commercial Development Manager for Manx Care.
The LanguageLine Rolling Cart is helping the island keep pace with the growing complexity of its patient population without sacrificing the clarity, compassion, or consistency that health care demands.
Let’s Talk Solutions
LanguageLine is proud to support Manx Care and other healthcare providers in delivering safe, inclusive communication at the point of care.
The LanguageLine Rolling Cart is built for flexibility, speed, and scale. Whether your facility serves a local population or an international audience, we can help you meet the moment with professionalism and precision.
Please contact us today to learn how the LanguageLine Rolling Cart can support your language access goals.
