Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011
The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 received Royal Approval on 9th February 2011: this gave the Welsh language official status in Wales, and consequently placed the language within a new legal context.
Along with reinforcing the principle that Welsh shouldn’t be treated less favourably than English in Wales, the 2011 Measure also created a new legislative framework for placing specific legal duties on public bodies in relation to the Welsh language.
Thus, public institutions and organisations will now have to operate in accordance with a series of fixed statutory Standards: a number of specific benchmarks which will formalise the nature and provision of Welsh-medium public services for the future.
These new Welsh Language Standards will become applicable to the Health Board during 2019 (and a number of the related provisions that were originally created by the passing of the Welsh Language Act 1993 will consequently be updated, or become obsolete).
Welsh Language Standards
The Welsh Language Standards are a set of statutory requirements which are relevant to the Health Board. They state clearly our responsibilities to provide bilingual services to patients and the public.
There are a 121 Standards in all, split into 4 main areas of compliance.
These standards state the specific requirements on the Health Board when dealing with the public. Including when we deal with correspondence, telephone calls, meetings, events and external communication channels.
Policy Making Standards
These Standards state what we should consider when developing any new policy, protocol or scheme.
Operational Standards
These state how we use the Welsh Language within internal processes.
Record Keeping Standards
These relate to our evidence in complying with the Standards.
Everyone who works for the Health Board is responsible for complying with the Standards. An outline of all the Standards relevant to the Health Board are in the document below.
The Health Board’s Notice of Compliance
Welsh Language Standards Document 2019
Annual Reports
The Welsh Language Services Annual Monitoring Report was approved by the Health Board in its meeting on the 27th September 2023.
5 year plan in relation to Standard 110 of the Welsh Language Standards
The Health Board has published a Five Year Plan in relation to Standard 110 of the Welsh Language Standards which aims to increase our ability to offer clinical consultations through the medium of Welsh. Please contact Alaw.Griffith@wales.nhs.uk with any queries or comments.
For further information, please contact:
Eleri Hughes-Jones
Head of Welsh Language Services, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Ysbyty Gwynedd, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, LL57 2PW
Telephone: 01248 385078
E-mail: eleri.hughes-Jones@wales.nhs.uk
Alaw Griffith
Welsh Language Standards Compliance Officer
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Denbigh Infirmary, Denbigh, Denbighshire, LL17 3ES
Telephone: 03000 855718
E-mail: alaw.griffith@wales.nhs.uk
Any complaints in relation to compliance with the Welsh Language Standards or a lack of Welsh/bilingual services on behalf of the Health Board will be reported to the Welsh Language Strategic Forum, and will follow the Health Board’s Putting Things Right procedure.
Make a complaint - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Patient and Carer Experience Team - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Any complaints in relation to compliance with the Welsh Language Standards or a lack of Welsh/bilingual services on behalf of the Health Board will be reported to the Welsh Language Strategic Forum, and will follow the Health Board’s Putting Things Right procedure.
Make a complaint - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Patient and Carer Experience Team - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)