I just seem to attract refugee patients. I don’t seek them out. They find me — usually on recommendation from others. First it was the South Sudanese, then it was people fleeing the Middle East.

The funny thing is, I cannot speak any foreign languages. I use the telephone interpreter service when I see these patients — until they’re happy that their English has reached a level where we can communicate.

But it can be a cumbersome procedure. I use speakerphone with the volume on maximum, but it can be a struggle to be heard over their boisterous children playing with their toys. 

One time the interpreter had a dog barking in the background. It belonged to a neighbour, he said, so there was nothing he could do.