(Title Image: Daily Post)

Recently-introduced regulations will widen duties and obligations GPs, dentists, opticians and pharmacists have towards the Welsh language (Cymraeg – pdf, English – pdf). They build upon Welsh Language Standards introduced in 2018.

The explanatory memorandum ( English – pdf; there seems to be a technical problem with the Welsh version) says the regulations will mean independent primary care providers:

Will have to tell their respective local health boards which services they’re willing to provide through the medium of Welsh.

Will have to make Welsh language versions of any form or document from the local health board available to patients/the public.

Must have bilingual signage.

Should encourage Welsh-speaking staff to wear a badge identifying that they can communicate in Welsh and also encourage staff to attend relevant training courses, where available, to raise awareness of the Welsh language.

Should encourage the recording of Welsh or English language preferences by patients or on behalf of patients.

The memorandum goes on to say the duties are “at a level that is considered appropriate and reasonable” and “provides a reasonable starting point” before any future expansion of Welsh-language services in primary care.

The regulations use the negative procedure, meaning they’ll come into force automatically on May 30th 2019 unless the Senedd tables a motion and votes to block them.