Spotlight on using Welsh in health and social care services

Being able to use Welsh in health and social care isn’t just a preference; it can affect dignity, safety, and outcomes for people.

The Welsh language is a vital part of people’s identity, well-being, and access to quality care. Over 828,000 people in Wales (27% of the population) say they can speak Welsh, with much higher proportions in areas like Gwynedd (72.7%),
Anglesey (62.5%), and Ceredigion (56%). Yet, access to Welsh language services in health and social care remains inconsistent across regions.

The People’s Principles set out the eight expectations people have of health and social care services. These include being able to communicate in a way that works for them and being treated with dignity and respect. The experiences shared in this report suggest that, for many Welsh speakers, this is not yet the reality.

Here we set out what Llais has heard about how Welsh is currently used in health and social care services across Wales. It is based on what we have heard from people about their experiences and what we know from working with policy makers and others with an interest.