A new course for health and social care staff will help meet the
needs of Welsh-speaking patients and develop the Welsh language
skills of the workforce.
Health Secretary will officially launch Cwrs
Croeso at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham today.
The course has been developed by the National Centre for Learning
Welsh specifically for health and social care staff. It will
introduce essential keywords and phrases staff can use in their
everyday conversations with Welsh-speaking patients and service
users.
This includes expressions of comfort, offering refreshments, or
pronouncing Welsh names – all of which can significantly enhance
a person's experience of care.
The course is an important part of meeting the ambition in
Mwy na geiriau – the Welsh Government's comprehensive
Welsh language plan for health and social care.
Mwy na geiriau supports and develops the Welsh language
skills of the current and future health and social care workforce
so the language is embedded in services across Wales.
This is key to meeting the language needs of people receiving
care, without them having to ask for it.
Speaking at the National Eisteddfod, the Health Secretary will
say health and social care staff do not need to be fluent in
Welsh to make a meaningful difference to people's care.
Health Secretary said: “Mwy na
geiriau – our Welsh language plan for health and social care
– is about ensuring people who speak Welsh can access the care
they need in the language they choose.
“Just a few words in Welsh can make a big difference when it
comes to people's experiences.
“It's easier than ever for those new to Welsh to start learning
the language thanks to the package of learning resources and I'm
delighted Cwrs Croeso is part of that.”
As part of Mwy na geiriau, all health and social care
staff in Wales are expected to achieve a basic “courtesy” level
of Welsh skills by 2027.
Cwrs Croeso includes a digital resource which sets out reasons
for using Welsh and an introduction to simple terms and
vocabulary to be used with patients.
A team of Learn Welsh Tutors are also available to provide
“Croeso” workshops for beginners.
The course is part of a wide-ranging programme of Welsh language
training for the Health and Social Care sector, led by the
National Centre for Learning Welsh.
Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for
Learning Welsh, added: “This new Cwrs Croeso, developed
by the Centre's language learning experts, will support health
and care workers to use more Welsh with patients and carers.
“Additional tutor-led support will enable workers to strengthen
their skills, with further learning options also available.
“We know that being able to provide services through the medium
of Welsh can make a real difference to patients and their
families, and we look forward to continuing to support the
workforce in developing their language skills."
