Non-English speaking residents in Haringey are yet to have adequate information about swine flu after a request for multilingual leaflets was ignored by Haringey Council. In May Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Scott highlighted the need for Haringey Council to provide information to residents in the main languages spoken in Haringey, warning them of the symptoms and what they should so if they suspect one of their family has the virus.

Haringey Council has ignored Cllr Scott’s request despite an increase in the cases of swine flu in London and Haringey’s first confirmed case.

Cllr Nigel Scott, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, comments:

“Haringey is one of the most diverse communities in London with residents speaking over one hundred different languages. With a swine flu pandemic just announced, Haringey Council has done nothing to ensure that local residents, who may have little understanding of English, would have had the same access to information.

“The fact that many schools in Haringey have up to eighty per cent of pupils speaking English as a second language is a hint that communication also needs to be in languages other than English. With something as important as a threat to public health we cannot afford to get it wrong.”

Lynne Featherstone MP added:

“Just sending such essential information in English is not good enough if it means that many local residents won’t fully understand what steps they need to take to make sure their families are protected.

“Haringey Council, managing one of Britain’s most diverse communities, should make it a priority to ensure residents can access information on such an important issue.”