What to change
Treat the changed fact as a shared content item and check every language that explains it. Prioritise the practical task affected rather than assuming the whole translation remains current.
A worked example
Illustrative example
A practice moves patient check-in from the building desk to its own reception. Both language guides are updated with the same destination, while the translator preserves understandable local wording.
Put it into practice
Ask who will confirm the translation and what visitors will see while it is being checked. Keeping an old instruction visible without explanation can be more confusing than clearly signposting the current information and an available route for help.
Record which practical fact changed, rather than sending an entire page with no explanation. This helps the reviewer focus on the difference while checking that the surrounding translation still fits.
What to agree before publishing
When a service fact changes, identify the exact difference for the translators and reviewers. Give them the updated context rather than an isolated replacement phrase. Agree what visitors see while the new version is checked, particularly if the old instruction would send them to the wrong place or route. After publication, follow the language links from an existing message. Updating the main translated page is not enough if a linked leaflet still gives the earlier practical instruction.
How to check the result
Patients using different language versions receive the same practical instruction for the current service.
A mistake to avoid
Do not leave a known incorrect translation in place simply because the rest of the page still reads well.
Turn reading into a next step
Your action checklist
Work through these checks with your team or supplier. Tick the ones you have resolved and leave unknowns open.
Record what you know, what is still missing and the answer you need from your team or supplier.
Use project decisions only, without personal, patient or confidential details. Entries stay in this page and are not submitted to Kay & Co. Copy or download before leaving; this page does not save your notes.
Further reading
These sources provide background for the topic. The practice examples and checklist are illustrative planning suggestions from Kay & Co.
Related guides
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