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Race Equality First Health Fair - April 2026

At the Race Equality First Health Fair, we spoke with 82 people from ethnic minority communities across the Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf Morgannwg, Gwent, and Swansea Bay regions about their experiences of health and social care services.  What people shared with us was honest and deeply personal. While every experience was unique, several clear themes emerged from our conversations.  Many people described how poor communication, language barriers, short appointments and long waiting times can lead to distress, confusion and feeling excluded. Yet they also highlighted practical changes that would help people feel valued, listened to and supported.

One of the strongest messages we heard was that representation matters.

People told us that seeing themselves and their communities reflected within services helps build trust, reduce anxiety and improve confidence. Many described the importance of speaking to someone who understands their culture, values and lived experiences.

“I was in hospital for 5months with my son, as he was born early. Around 2months, people from my community came in to speak to me about his development. It made me feel better and like they understood me and my family.”

We also heard repeatedly about the impact of language and communication barriers.

People shared experiences of struggling to explain symptoms, understand information, or navigate services when English was not their first language. Some described concerns about diagnoses, treatment and advice being misunderstood because of communication difficulties

“language is a huge barrier – some things don’t translate into English in the same way, so it can be hard to explain what I am going through or experiencing” 

Others spoke about the responsibility they carry when translating for family members.

“It’s really hard. The reality is I have to translate for my mum all the time and so she might not share fully what's going on because she doesn’t want to worry me, and she often gets overlooked because staff can’t speak to her directly”

Another theme that emerged was the challenge of short appointment times.

People told us that appointments can feel rushed, particularly when they need additional time to process information in English or explain their experiences in a second language. Several felt they left appointments with unanswered questions or uncertainty around the next steps in their care journey. 

At the same time, people were clear about what makes a positive experience.

Across our conversations, we heard how much difference respectful treatment, clear communication, proper interpreting support and culturally sensitive care can make.  We also heard how it is often the small things, like a smile or taking the time to greet someone even when you are busy, that can positively impact their experience. 

The issues people raised reflect themes within Llais' People's Principles, including the importance of respect, communication, inclusion and person-centred care. The experiences and ideas shared with us at the event will help strengthen our work to influence improvements in health and social care across Wales. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with us. Your experiences help shape the work we do and the conversations we have with health and social care services across Wales.

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