Canada is often described as a melting pot. But with many different languages and cultures mixing, getting basic services in a language you understand can be challenging. That's why one Toronto hospital is using the services of interpreters.

At Toronto's East General Hospital the waiting room shows the city's diversity. Several languages can be heard - Greek, Chinese, Italian ...

Mark Prendi helps open the lines of communication between patients and doctors. He's one of 18 interpreters providing translation in six different languages: Italian, two Chinese dialects, Greek, Punjabi and Tamil.

It's a new 24-hour service operating in all areas of the hospital, including the emergency room - where staff say it is particularly helpful.

Tricky terminology

Doctors used to spend time trying to find someone in the hospital who spoke their patient's language. Sometimes they were successful, but then sometimes medical terminology proved to be a stumbling block.

Social worker Natasha Alfred says, "Sometimes if we asked someone in the hospital who speaks the language ... They aren't sure how to translate it or not sure what we are trying to get from the patient."

Doctors also had access to a phone service that would link them with an interpreter - possibly on the other side of the world.

Now the translators are a little closer to home. And the ones being hired in Toronto are required to have medical knowledge. Prendi, for example, used to be a doctor in Albania.