--- title: "Language assistance | Sutter Health" description: "Sutter hospitals provide free services to patients who need help with spoken or written English, or who have other communication needs." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources) / 3. Language assistance # Language assistance for Sutter Health patients **Section menu** - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics services") - [Bioethics team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient information") - [Remington Lab tests menu and information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab tests menu and information") - [Spiritual care and chaplaincy services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual care and chaplaincy services") - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics services") - [Bioethics team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient information") - [Remington Lab tests menu and information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab tests menu and information") - [Spiritual care and chaplaincy services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual care and chaplaincy services") Language assistance policies Sutter Health delivers personalized medical care to one of the most diverse populations in the United States. Nearly a third of our patients primarily speak a language other than English at home. We’re committed to bridging any gaps of understanding that may exist. We’re here to help you communicate clearly with your care team. **Language Assistance Policies by Location** - [Alta Bates Summit Medical Center](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-absmc.pdf) - [California Pacific Medical Center](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-cpmc.pdf) - [Eden Medical Center](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-emc.pdf) - [Memorial Hospital Los Banos](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-mhlb.pdf) - [Memorial Medical Center](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-mmc.pdf) - [Sutter Mills Peninsula Medical Center](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-mpmc.pdf) - [Novato Community Hospital](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-nch.pdf) - [Sutter Amador Hospital](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-sah.pdf) - [Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-language-barrier-safh.pdf) - [Sutter Center for Psychiatry](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-scp.pdf) - [Sutter Coast Hospital](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-coast.pdf) - [Sutter Davis Hospital](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-sdh.pdf) - [Sutter Delta Medical Center](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/patient-family-centered-communication-sdmc.pdf) - [Sutter Lakeside Hospital](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-slh.pdf) - [Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-limited-non-enlglish-ssrrh.pdf) - [Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center of Santa Cruz](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-smsc.pdf) - [Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-smcs.pdf) - [Sutter Roseville Medical Center](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-srmc.pdf) - [Sutter Solano Medical Center](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-ssmc.pdf) - [Sutter Tracy Community Hospital](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/language-assistance/language-assistance-policy-stch.pdf) ## In the hospital If you require assistance with written or spoken English during your stay at a Sutter hospital, we provide interpreter services at no cost to patients with limited English proficiency or who are deaf or hard of hearing. We can help with document translations, provide telephone interpreter services or connect you to onsite bilingual staff. We also provide onsite translators who must pass a language competency test to ensure they are competent in both English and their second spoken language. If you need an American Sign Language interpreter or assistive listening device, such as an amplified telephone handset or TTD machine, please let us know when you register or discuss with your care team. ## At the doctor's office or clinic To find out if language assistance is available at a Sutter doctor’s office, urgent care facility or walk-in clinic, please call ahead or ask when you check in. Services vary by location and may require scheduling. ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"Language assistance | Sutter Health","description":"Sutter  hospitals provide free services to patients who need help with spoken or written English, or who have other communication needs.","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance#breadcrumblist"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Patient resources","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Language assistance"}]} ```