NHS Highland to seek views on Gaelic Language Plan

NHS Highland is to launch an eight-week consultation period on its draft Gaelic Language Plan on August 24.

Policy Development Manager Caroline Tolan said: “We will be seeking views from people across the NHS Highland area. We have developed a draft plan, which covers what we think the organisation could do to promote Gaelic use, and serve our Gaelic speaking patients better.

“We encourage all comments on the draft plan through our website (www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk). Anyone who is unable to contribute online, is asked to phone or write in with their views. We are also looking at the possibility of organising some small focus groups if there is sufficient demand. We welcome responses in Gaelic and English.

“To date, some of the options we are looking at include having Gaelic television and radio available at the bedside for patients in hospital and ensuring that people who write to us can choose to receive a response in Gaelic or English. “

The Gaelic language plan is being prepared in response to the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, agreed by the Scottish Parliament. Bòrd na Gàidhlig has the authority to require organisations to prepare statutory Gaelic Language Plans.

NHS Highland is required to produce a Gaelic Language Plan by the end of 2009.

NHS Chair Garry Coutts said: “We will seek to be as creative as possible in our support for Gaelic, but we will, of course, do this in the context of our primary functions of health improvement and the provision of health care. We also need to reflect our current corporate priorities.

“We are preparing this plan with funding from external sources, and it does not impact on our own financial situation.”

The deadline for submitting comments is October 22.