[lg policy] Cymdeithas yr iaith attacks NHS Welsh Langiage policy at Porthmadog demo

[Harold Schiffman]

Cymdeithas yr iaith attacks NHS Welsh Langiage policy at Porthmadog demo
Jun 24 2010 by Kevin White, Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald


Cymdeithas yr iaith attacks NHS Welsh Langiage policy at Porthmadog demo

CYMDEITHAS yr Iaith descended on Porthmadog on Saturday to protest
about government plans for a new Welsh language law. The protestors
believe the draft paper fails to grant official status to the
language, fails to establish rights to receive day to day services in
Welsh, and fails to create a sufficiently independent language
commissioner.
The Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board, which oversees NHS
activities across North Wales, came under heavy criticism for its
failure to provide sufficient services in Welsh.
However, the Board was robust in the defence of its Welsh language policy.

Campaigner Bethan Russell spoke at the rally, held outside Canolfan
Hamdden Glaslyn, and expressed concerns that none of the NHS board’s
body of directors spoke Welsh, and that in a recent report, European
watchdog Comes criticised the NHS across Wales for failing to provide
enough Welsh language services. She said: “The health board’s language
scheme has been out for consultation recently, but in the plan, very
worryingly, there are many examples where Welsh and English aren’t
treated equally. “The flaws in the plan need to be fixed because there
are so many examples where it’s noted that Welsh services will be
provided ‘where possible’ and ‘where suitable’. It’s not good enough.
It’s much too easy for the health service to refuse a service in the
medium of Welsh to patients, and do that with the support of a flawed
language scheme.”

Protestors also targeted the Porthmadog branch of Superdrug, and their
Welsh language presence, which one protestor called “minimal, with
just a few bilingual signs in store”.
The Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board spokesman said: “The
Health Board is particularly disappointed with these comments which
show a lack of understanding of the progress of the consultation.
During the recent extended consultation process, the health board made
every effort to gather views of all stakeholders and has demonstrated
throughout the consultation process that it is willing to listen to
the views of all to help design bilingual healthcare services
according to the needs of the population it serves.

“An extended and transparent consultation process has been conducted
and Bethan Russell herself participated in a public meeting to discuss
how the scheme could be improved and strengthened. All the views and
comments gathered during the consultation have been considered, and
changes have been made to the scheme which will be considered for
final approval by the health board next week.  “We are proud of our
reputation in leading the development of bilingual healthcare services
in Wales and were recently presented with five awards at the Welsh
Language in Healthcare awards for service to patents. While our chief
executive, and Welsh learner Mary Burrows received an award for her
leadership on Welsh language development.  “All members of the health
board’s executive team are learning Welsh and are at varying levels of
progression.”

kevin.white

http://www.caernarfonherald.co.uk/caernarfon-county-news/local-caernarfon-news/2010/06/24/cymdeithas-yr-iaith-attacks-nhs-welsh-langiage-policy-at-porthmadog-demo-88817-26712478/

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