Doctor demanded a interpreter!

My father has been in the country for 30+ years. He speaks and understands English well but has a thick accent sometimes! My dad has never been ashamed to speak English! I scheduled my dad an appointment for a follow up for his blood pressure ( needs the appointment to get a refill on meds).

My grandma is getting old and had a stroke a few months so my dad is planning to see her soon. He took a day off from work to get this done. When he got to the appointment, he called me and said they wouldn't see because they didn't have an interpreter! My dad stated he didn't need one. Due to legality issues they require one if they feel he doesn't understand.

I immediately called the clinic because I also work at a clinic! I speak Spanish ALL day and we have people deny their right to an interpreter sometimes too. A wavier is usually signed so there won't be "legality issues". They kept telling me over and over that they prefer he have an interpreter because they believe he doesn't understand what's going on!!! They tell me they went ahead and filled his medications because of the inconvenience. They are missing the point!! They belittled him and made him feel as though he is stupid!! How are they going to demand someone have an interpreter when he's telling you he understands everything!! Of course I cried! My dad calls me telling me he can't do anything about his accent and he feels discriminated against. I tell my dad they filled his medications and he proceeded to tell me that the nurse called him to tell him the same thing in ENGLISH! Ohhh so now they don't need an interpreter but they cancel his appointment because he doesn't understand English. Sorry my mind and heart are all over the place. I'm hurt because my dad is hurt. I needed to get this out because I'm clearly still very upset.