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Public Health Wales’ main achievements in 2019-20 relate to the Operational Standards according to a report approved at a Board meeting on 24 September.

The Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2019-20 outlines Public Health Wales’ progress in relation to meeting the requirements of the Welsh Language Standards. The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 places a duty on Public Health Wales to comply with Welsh Language Standards Regulations in order to improve the availability and quality of the Trust’s Welsh language services. 

The report shows that over 120 recruiting managers have been trained in the use of an assessment tool to determine whether a role requires Welsh language skills. It also shows that there was increase in the number of posts advertised as ‘Welsh Essential’ from 7 in 2018-19 to 30 in 2019/20. 95.09% of the organisation’s entire workforce has received Welsh language awareness training. 89% of the workforce has recorded their Welsh language skills. 188 employees have Welsh language skills at Levels 4 and 5. 345 members of staff have registered to undertake the online training offered by the National Centre for Learning Welsh and five staff have attended residential courses. The Learners’ Network provides opportunities for fluent Welsh speakers and learners to come together for informal chats. A policy on Public Health Wales internal use of the Welsh language has been prepared.   

Jan Williams, Chair of the Board, yesterday said:

“The report shows positive progress in implementing the Welsh Language Standards, and underlines the Trusts’ efforts to improve.” 

“We take seriously our duties under the Welsh Language Standards arrangements and we aim to continually improve our Welsh language provision.  Many Welsh residents are right to expect services to be provided in their mother tongue and we are determined to do that.”

The report describes some of the steps that been taken to comply with the requirements of the standards. It provides details in relation to service delivery standards; policy making; operational; and record keeping. 

The Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2019-20 is available on the Public Health Wales website, at: https://phw.nhs.wales/about-us/publication-scheme/welsh-language/