The Art of Communication: - Derry City Council

4.4 Effectiveness of Shared Communication• None of the Chinese questionnaire respondents indicated that they weredissatisfied with the current status, 21.6% indicated that they had no significantview, 70.2% indicated that they were slightly satisfied - very satisfied.• In contrast to questionnaire responses, Chinese focus group participants ratedcommunication between Environmental Health and Chinese employers ‘in themiddle’.• Chinese focus group participants indicated the view that, while EHOs wereinformative and friendly, there was a need for better explanation of requestedchanges arising from visits/inspections.• Chinese focus group participants also expressed the view that EHOs werenitpicking and inconsistent.• Chinese focus group participants indicated the view that the running of foodhygiene courses had helped improve the communication/understanding ofEnvironmental Health requirements. This was also reported in Chinesequestionnaire responses.• Environmental Health focus group participants observed that there was ‘noobvious improvement’ following translation of letters and also that the abilityto communicate well in English did not necessarily lead to improved complianceamong Chinese catering establishments.• In focus group discussions Chinese employers, but not EHOs, raised the issue ofthe importance of non-verbal communication in shared interactions.• Both Environmental Health and Chinese focus group participants confirmed thestrong links between Sai Pak, the Chinese community and EHOs. The importanceof these links to the facilitation of effective communication was corroborated infocus group and questionnaire responses from both groups.• EHOs, both via questionnaire responses and in focus group discussion, indicatedthe view that resource issues (cost, staff, time) would significantly impact oncurrent and future shared communications with Chinese/EMBs.• In focus group discussions EHOs indicated that the need to meet output targetsimpacted negatively on effective communication.The Art of Communication: A landscape shared between regulator and ethnic employer 21