The article focuses on Slovenia, which has seen one the highest increases in immigration in the last few years among new EU member states. It argues that Slovene public institutions still seem unaware of the problem and do not place any value on community interpreting. The legislation regulating public service interpreting is confusing and unclear, revealing ignorance of the basic competences needed for working as an interpreter in the public sector. Two cases are profiled, showing that there is no network providing medical interpreting to medical personnel, leaving them without any support and forcing them to improvise. The article concludes with a plea for a proactive approach that would respond to the need and set up medical interpreting and public service interpreting in new member states.