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NHS HIGHLAND GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN 2017-2022

NHS Highland Gaelic Language Plan 2017-2022 (English) Web viewGaelic Language Plan 2017 - 2022. 21. ... of Scotland's national, ... in a wordle which is a tool for generating “word

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Page 1: NHS Highland Gaelic Language Plan 2017-2022 (English) Web viewGaelic Language Plan 2017 - 2022. 21. ... of Scotland's national, ... in a wordle which is a tool for generating “word

NHS HIGHLAND

GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN

2017-2022

This plan has been prepared under Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005

Approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig on DATE

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Foreword

As Chief Executive of NHS Highland, I am very pleased to introduce the second edition of our Gaelic Language Plan for 2017 to 2022.

Gaelic is one of Scotland's national, official languages and NHS Highland has a statutory duty under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to play its part in promoting the language. On top of this, as one of the biggest employers in Highland and Argyll & Bute, this gives us additional responsibilities and opportunities to promote the Gaelic language throughout our area.

I am also aware that in Skye & Raasay, Tiree and Colonsay over one in five of the people living in these communities speak Gaelic. Our staff also provide some services to the Western Isles where just over half speak Gaelic. It is therefore important that we offer equal respect for Gaelic and English language. We did not deliver on our commitments in our original plan as intended and through the delivery of this plan I aim to remedy that.

The plan sets out a formal structure including senior staff members indentified who will be responsible for implementing the actions identified. The draft has been informed by a staff feed-back questionnaire with over 500 responses. The plan will be further shaped through this public consultation.

I urge everyone to do what they can to make sure we demonstrate progress to actively offer, promote and respect Gaelic over the next five years. I am committed to doing what I can to lead and support NHS Highland to play our part to secure the long term future of Gaelic in Highland and Argyll and Bute.

Professor Elaine Mead

Chief Executive NHS Highland

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“The language is the mother tongue to many individuals and I believe that

signage, awareness, is owed as part of equality and diversity in making the

language inclusive.”

The quotes used in the plan are from NHS Highland’s staff survey

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Contents

Foreword.................................................................................................................................11. Introduction.....................................................................................................................4

1.1 Profile of NHS Highland...........................................................................................41.1.1 Structure and Governance arrangements................................................................51.2 The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005..............................................................61.3 The requirement to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan..............................................61.4 Gaelic in Scotland.....................................................................................................61.5 Gaelic within the board’s area of operation..............................................................61.6 Internal Gaelic Capacity Audit within NHS Highland................................................71.6.1 Survey Results.........................................................................................................71.6.2 Comparison with findings in 2012..........................................................................10

2. The Gaelic Language Plan in the Corporate Structure..............................................112.1 Position with strategic responsibility over the plan.................................................112.2 Position with day-to-day responsibility over the plan..............................................112.3 Gaelic Adviser........................................................................................................112.4 Individual staff members.........................................................................................122.5 Services delivered by third parties.........................................................................122.6 Publicising and Availability of Plan.........................................................................12

3. Planning and Policy Implications for Gaelic and links to National Priorities..........133.1 Mainstreaming Gaelic............................................................................................133.2 Commitment to the objectives of the National Gaelic Language Plan...................133.3 Scottish Government National Priorities.................................................................153.4 Local Priorities........................................................................................................15

4. Plan Commitments........................................................................................................164.1 High Level Commitments.......................................................................................164.2 Summary of Service Standard Commitments........................................................16

5. Implementation..............................................................................................................225.1 Monitoring the Implementation of the Plan.............................................................225.2 Resourcing the Plan...............................................................................................22

Appendix 1 – Outcomes of Consultation...............................................................................Public Consultation on a draft Gaelic Language Plan..........................................................

Appendix 2 - Approval of NHs Highland's Gaelic Language Plan......................................................

.

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1. Introduction

“I have knowledge of elderly relatives and others who revert back to Gaelic when under pressure of hospital and illness. My mother suffers from dementia and is automatically at ease

if someone addresses her in Gaelic at the day care centre she attends.”

1.1 Profile of NHS Highland

NHS Highland covers the largest and most sparsely populated Scottish Health Board area, covering 41% of the country’s landmass. We provide health and social care services to our resident population of 320,000 (Map 1). Our diverse area includes Inverness, one of the fastest growing cities in Western Europe, and 36 populated islands (23 in Argyll & Bute and 13 in Highland, excluding the Island of Skye connected to the mainland by a road bridge since 1995).

Map 1 Location of NHS Highland Hospitals, Care Homes and General Practices

Despite the often popular image of a rural idyll, deprivation, fuel poverty and inequalities also affect the population of the area, producing diverse challenges for service delivery.

In many parts of Highland, the NHS and other public sector agencies are major employers, and changes to services can adversely affect already fragile areas. As an important partner in maintaining the social and economic vibrancy of the areas concerns around health service quality or changes, can and do, generate considerable attention from communities, local and national politicians as well as staff.

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NHS Highland has a higher proportion of older people in the population than the Scottish average. Seasonal work is common, and in some parts of Highland there are considerable difficulties in recruiting to some roles. NHS Highland’s financial requirement is to deliver around £47 million savings (7% of a budget of £800millon) in order to break even in 2017/18 and around £100 million over three years. Other key facts and figures are summarized.

Part of our challenge is to ensure we deliver safe and effective care and embed new models of care which will be sustainable and meet future needs. The way we are doing is through ourHighland Quality Approach (HQA).

The HQA captures the spirit of how NHS Highland is working to improve care and outcomes for people in Highland.  It describes our ways of working, values and behaviour. It recognises how important it is to improve the health of the population and get the experience of care right for individual people, every time. We will deliver this by focussing on providing person-centred care while at the same time eliminating waste, reducing harm to patients and managing unwarranted variation in clinical practice. This approach places an explicit emphasis on how we will make best use all of our resources.  It is founded on the evidence that by focusing on quality and being person centred we will achieve better health, better care and better value.

1.1.1 Structure and Governance arrangements

NHS Highland is managed by a Board of 21 members made up of 15 Non-Executive and six Executive Directors. Executive Directors who are also board members are the Chief Executive, Medical Director, Director of Finance, Director of Nursing, Director of Human Resources and Director of Public Health.

The Board governs NHS Highland's accountability and performance and is underpinned by a number of committees. It is accountable to the Scottish Government through the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. The Chair and each of the Non-Executive Directors are appointed by the Cabinet Secretary.

Board meetings are held every two months, are open to the public and are webcast. The Board has an annual review which is also open to the public.

The Health Board area includes two Local Authority areas, Highland and Argyll & Bute. Operationally the business is managed by the Highland Health and Social Care Partnership (coterminous with the Highland Council area) and Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership. (coterminous with Argyll & Bute Council area).

The Headquarters Office for the Board is in Inverness, currently in Assynt House, Beechwood Park. However, we have facilities and local offices across all of our districts.

1.2 The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005

The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 was passed by the Scottish Parliament with a view to securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland commanding

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equal respect with the English language. One of the key features of the Act is the provision enabling Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the Scottish Government's principal Gaelic development body) to require public bodies to prepare Gaelic Language Plans. This provision was designed to ensure that the public sector in Scotland plays its part in creating a sustainable future for Gaelic by raising its status and profile and creating practical opportunities for its use.

1.3 The requirement to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan

The requirement for a public body to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan is initiated by Bòrd na Gàidhlig issuing a formal notice to that effect under section three of the 2005 Act. NHS Highland first Gaelic Language Plan was approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig on 18th September 2012

1.4 Gaelic in Scotland

Gaelic forms an important part of Scotland’s heritage, national identity and cultural life.  NHS Highland recognises that the position of Gaelic is extremely fragile and if Gaelic language is to be revitalised, a concerted effort is required including from public bodies. Overarching themes to safeguard the long term future of Gaelic are to:

enhance the status of Gaelic; promote learning of Gaelic; encourage the increased use of Gaelic.

The total number of Gaelic speakers recorded in the 2011 census was 57, 602 aged three or more, just over one percent the Scottish Population.  While Gaelic speakers are spread throughout Scotland (21%) live in the Highland Council area, and a further 6% in Argyll and Bute. The main stronghold of the language is the Western Isles.

1.5 Gaelic within the board’s area of operation

One of the strongholds for the language is the Western Isles where Gaelic is spoken as a community language. Although not in the board area NHS Highland does provide a number of services for people of the Western Isles both in Stornoway, as well as in Raigmore Hospital in Inverness which plays a central role for some Western Isles patients

In Skye & Raasay, Tiree and Colonsay over 20% of the people living in these communities speak Gaelic.

In 2016-17, 25 primary schools across the Highlands and Argyll and Bute offered Gaelic Medium Education (GME) and 35 secondary schools offer Gaelic classes or subject teaching through the medium of the language. Furthermore there were 1,848 children in Gaelic medium education across Highland and Argyll & Bute. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye is a National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture and a Gaelic-medium college in the University of the Highlands and Islands. There are many learning opportunities for people with an interest in Gaelic, both at the College and by distance -learning.

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The board area is covered by BBC Alba which is a Scottish Gaelic language digital television channel.

1.6 Internal Gaelic Capacity Audit within NHS Highland

In the first edition of our plan, we committed to repeating a survey with staff. A Gaelic Language on-line Survey was offered to all staff in NHS Highland (including non executive directors) from 24th April to 8th May 2017. The aim of the survey was to gauge:

understanding of staff of NHS Highland’s responsibility to promote Gaelic; current ability levels around reading, speaking and writing Gaelic, current use of Gaelic in the workplace interest and ideas in developing Gaelic skills as part of their employment develop a pool of people to help implement elements of the plan

The survey was emailed to all staff (approx 10,000) as well as promoted through a number of other internal communication channels.

1.6.1 Survey Results

562 responses were received which is a response rate of around (6%). Based on similar local staff surveys carried out via Survey Monkey during 2016/17 this was the second highest response.

There was a spread of responses from staff across Highland, age groups and professions. 78% of people who responded were female reflecting that half who responded were from Nursing, midwifery and administrative and clerical which is predominately a work force made up of females.

One quarter of those who responded (n=146) responded that they had a clear understanding in terms of NHS Highland’s responsibilities in relation to the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. 39% felt that Gaelic had a role to play as part of the economic development of Highland and Argyll & Bute.

Over 40% felt it was very important (20%) or fairly important (23%) to them that NHS has responsibilities in relation to Gaelic Language. Half of those who responded agreed that embracing bilingualism in part of its corporate identity shows that NHS Highland is committed to Gaelic language and culture. And just over half (53%) felt that there was scope for the use of Gaelic to be increased in NHS Highland.

And 65% agreed that it was important that patients / service users had the choice to be communicated to in Gaelic if they felt more comfortable doing so.

Half of respondents (282) said they had some Gaelic (simple words or phrases). Ability levels in Gaelic in relation to understanding, spoken, written and reading are summarised in Tables 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d respectively:Table 1a Ability levels in relation to Understanding of Gaelic

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No. of responses

Percent

Basic 124 21.9Intermediate 45 8.0Advanced 21 3.7Fluent 37 6.5No ability 338 59.8Total 565 100.0

Table 1b Ability levels in relation to spoken Gaelic

No. of responses

Percent

Basic 135 23.8Intermediate 50 8.8Advanced 7 1.2Fluent 35 6.2No ability 340 60.0Total 567 100.0

Table 1c Ability levels in relation to written Gaelic

No. of responses

Percent

Basic 82 14.5Intermediate 31 5.5Advanced 14 2.5Fluent 22 3.9No ability 417 73.7Total 566 100.0

Table 1d Ability levels in relation to reading of Gaelic

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No. of responses

Percent

Basic 94 16.6Intermediate 35 6.2Advanced 17 3.0Fluent 24 4.2No ability 395 69.9Total 565 100.0

In terms of the work place settings and situations that involved Gaelic in 2016 that was relevant to around one third of those who responded. And of those just over half relate to communications with patients and service users in Gaelic and one third with colleagues, partner agencies or external contacts.

Respondents answered a number of questions around what would help to enhance confidence levels of staff to use Gaelic in their job with having Gaelic conversation classes being the most popular. 230 people who responded (41%) said they very interested or fairly interested in developing their language skills.

The free-text comments from the survey are summarised in a wordle which is a tool for generating “word clouds” from text provided as part of feed-back. It gives greater prominence to words that appeared more frequently in the feed-back (Figure 1).

Figure 1– Wordle based on staff survey

1.6.2 Comparison with findings in 2012

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When the survey was carried out in 2012, 73 people participated, with 44 answering all of the questions. The small sample means we don’t have a solid baseline measure to make meaningful comparisons.

1.7 Review of Plan 2012-2017

The first edition of NHS Highland’s Gaelic Language plan has been reviewed. It is clear that the plan was not delivered as intended. While some actions have been carried out, they have been not all been carried out or carried out completely and therefore the impact has been minimal.

There are, however, some areas which have changed and now drop out of the plan. NHS Highland does not manage Children’s Services and School Nurses. There is a move away from Corporate Services producing publications and printed materials, however, where they are produced, a selection of materials will be bilingual.

NHS Highland will also fully collaborate with Dr Lindsay Dombrowski (Senior Lecturer, Education, University of the West of Scotland) who is part of team hired by Bòrd na Gàidhlig to independently assess the implementation of NHS Highland’s Gaelic Language Plan.

Any learning and recommendations from this assessment will be considered and built into our rolling action plan.

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2. The Gaelic Language Plan in the Corporate Structure

“It would be great for staff to have the availability of Gaelic lessons to promote effective communication with native Gaelic speakers.”

2.1 Position with strategic responsibility over the plan

The executive officer with strategic responsibility for overseeing preparation, delivery and monitoring of the NHS Highland’s Gaelic Language Plan is:

Professor Elaine Mead

Chief ExecutiveNHS HighlandAssynt HouseBeechwood ParkINVERNESS IV2 3BW

2.2 Position with day- to-day responsibility for implementation of the plan

The officer with responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of NHS Highland’s Gaelic Language Plan is Head of Public Relations and Engagement. Monitoring arrangements are described on Section five. Questions about the day-to-day operation of the plan should be directed to:

Maimie Thompson

Head of Public Relations and EngagementNHS HighlandAssynt HouseBeechwood ParkINVERNESS IV2 3BW

[email protected] 704722@nhshmt

2.3 Gaelic Adviser

Advice to the board in reviewing the 2012-2017 plan and preparing this edition, has been provided by Etta Mackay, who is a fluent first-language Gaelic speaker, Lead Partnership Representative and former midwife, based at Raigmore Hospital.

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Etta Mackay

Lead Partnership RepresentativeNHS Highland Raigmore Hospital INVERNESS IV2 3UJ

[email protected] 01463 705898

2.4 Individual staff members

From the survey over 100 staff were interested in learning more about opportunities to develop their Gaelic skills and provided contact details. This will allow follow up contact to take place and to agree some tailored learning and support to develop their Gaelic as well as how they may wish to support the implementation of the Gaelic Language Plan.

2.5 Services delivered by third parties

Those who deliver services/goods on behalf of NHS Highland will be made aware of our commitment to the delivery of the Gaelic Language Plan through stating the requirement in the tendering and contracting of services/goods as a matter of best practice.

2.6 Publicising and Availability of Plan

The plan will be published bilingually on our website and will also be easily accessible. In addition, we will:

Issue a bilingual press release announcing the approval and publication of the plan Arrange for media interviews to be offered in Gaelic and English Inform staff and stakeholders about the updated plan and how to access it Raise awareness of the plan through social media and other means

It will also be sent to Schools within our area providing Gaelic Medium Education. Local communication and engagement plans will be prepared in Skye, Raasay, Coll and Tiree.

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3. Planning and Policy Implications for Gaelic and links to National Priorities

“I feel it important that what is done is not done just to be seen to be doing the right thing but has clear objectives and reasons for what is being done and why it may benefit the health of the people of the Highlands.”

A stronger structure has been established to deliver this edition of NHS Highland’s Gaelic language plan including executive oversight, a lead senior manager and a monitoring group.

3.1 Mainstreaming Gaelic

Through our Gaelic Language Plan we will create opportunities to promote and develop the language through existing policy measures. We will take actions to ensure that Gaelic becomes more a part of everyday activities in NHS Highland in simple and no/low cost ways including communication with patients, corporate identity, procurement and contracts.

3.2 Commitment to the objectives of the National Gaelic Language Plan

NHS Highland is committed to ensuring that the National Plan is implemented. This document is the NHS Highland’s Gaelic Language Plan which has been prepared within the framework of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. It sets out how we will use Gaelic in the operation of our functions, how we will enable the use of Gaelic when communicating with the public and key partners, and how we will promote and develop Gaelic.

It has been prepared in accordance with statutory criteria set out in the 2005 Act, and having regard to the National Gaelic Language Plan and the Guidance on the Development of Gaelic Language Plans. Our key commitment is to make a more significant contribution to the overall image and presence of Gaelic in Highland and Argyll & Bute, underpinned by the following aims:

to ensure that patients who have a clinical need such as dementia have the opportunity to communicate through the medium of Gaelic

prioritise efforts where Gaelic is spoken by at least 20% of the community or where there Gaelic medium education is provided

take account of the needs of Gaelic speaking children, including in the NHS Highland’s corporate parenting policy.

3.2.1 Contribution to the delivery of the National Gaelic Plan:

Home and early years

A sustainable future for Gaelic requires more people to learn the language and therefore greater attention is required to be focused on the home and education in early years. To this end a key commitment is that we will target our efforts to promote and integrate Gaelic usage into NHS Highland maternity and neo-natal services.

Education

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Creating a sustainable future for Gaelic requires both an increase in the number of people able to speak the language, and an increase in actual usage. Key to this is to support more people to use Gaelic as their preferred mode of communication including through interactions with health services.

Community

The status of a language is affected by its presence in the daily environment and the extent to which it is used and valued by those institutions which play an important role in our daily lives. In this regard the NHS Highland has the potential to make a significant contribution:

to increase the profile and use of Gaelic particularly in areas where 20% or more of the population have Gaelic abilities. to support initiatives that will make use of the skills and abilities of Gaelic speakers including making people aware of opportunities to receive health consultations from Gaelic-speaking staff

to enhance inclusion, wellbeing and empowerment through communicating with communities through the medium of Gaelic.

active engagement in delivering on Getting it Right for Every Child for Gaelic speaking children.

The Workplace

NHS Highland recognises the need to strengthen the relevance and consistency of Gaelic and the importance of facilitating translation services, including:

Creating a positive attitude to Gaelic in the workplace through awareness-raising and visibility.

Recruitment and training policies that are aligned to deliver the commitments in our Gaelic language plan.

Increasing opportunities for staff to learn Gaelic and for speakers to develop their language skills.

Media and Arts; Heritage & Tourism

The media can play an influential role to strengthen the relevance and consistency of Gaelic throughout the area. Arts, heritage and tourism are all important selling points for NHS Highland’s recruitment and retention. We will encourage a strong working relationship with the Gaelic media.

Economy

In our recent staff survey 39% of staff who responded agreed that Gaelic has a role to play in the economic development in Highland, Argyll & Bute. NHS Highland aims to play its part in strengthening the Gaelic labour market by training, valuing, advertising for and recruiting staff with Gaelic language skills.Corpus

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NHS Highland recognises the need to strengthen the relevance and consistency of Gaelic, the importance of facilitating translation services and to promote research into the language.

3.3 Scottish Government National Priorities

NHS Highland is committed to achieving the Scottish Government’s strategic objectives of creating a Scotland that is:

Wealthier and fairer Smarter Healthier Safer and stronger Greener

3.4 Local Priorities

During the course of the plan we will be running our local campaign Reach Out. This aims to encourage individuals and community groups throughout the Highlands and Argyll & Bute to make a difference for someone who’s lonely. As part of the campaign we will strive to identify Gaelic speaking staff to ‘Reach Out’ to Gaelic speakers. We will also discuss with Highland Council colleagues whether we can learn anything from their commitment to increase usage of intergenerational Gaelic between senior citizens and young people.

Another local priority is to make NHS Highland the employer of choice. Through the delivery of the Plan there will be opportunities to promote Highland and Argyll & Bute with an aspiration of supporting recruitment and retention.

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4. Plan Commitments

“In my experience, many Gaelic-speaking patients open up when their healthcare worker communicates to them in this language. More trust is gained and social barriers are broken

down. This increases their well-being”

4.1 High Level Commitments

High level aims were agreed with Scottish Ministers in advance of the plan notification. They are based on the priorities contained within the national Gaelic language plan extant at the time together with other actions which Bòrd na Gàidhlig believed to be of a strategic nature. These have been tailored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig to match NHS Highland’s key responsibilities.

4.2 Summary of Service Standard Commitments

In addressing the service standard commitments, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, set out five key elements that they expect to be addressed in the delivery of our plan.

Visibility

NHS Highland will establish, maintain or improve the visibility of Gaelic in connection with our day to day functions, particularly in relation to corporate logo and signage as part of the normal renewal or replacement process.

Staffing

Improving the level of Gaelic skills and knowledge with staff is key to the delivery of the primary aim of our plan which is to ensure that service users who wish to communicate through the medium of Gaelic are able to do so.

Communications and Day to Day Operations

The use of Gaelic in the media will assist in strengthening our communications and demonstrate our public commitment to enhancing the visibility and status of the language. A number of actions have been identified to improve the use of Gaelic as part of our day to day operations.

Corpus

NHS Highland recognises the importance of developing the Gaelic language to ensure that it is fit for all appropriate purposes and for its use in the current context in which it features.

4.3 Implementation of the 2017-2022 Plan

As already described the current edition of the plan has been informed by a review of the first edition which revealed that NHS Highland has not delivered on our 2012-17 commitments as anticipated. We therefore aim to remedy this through successful delivery of the actions

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identified in 2017 to 2022 with closer monitoring and executive leadership.

The delivery of the implementation plan including high level and standard commitments are included in Tables below.

1.VISIBILITYOverall leads – Head of PR and Engagement/ Board Secretariat

Actions required Target dates (*) Responsible Officer/Department /

1.1 Email signatures of Executive and non executive directors are bilingual

2017 Board Secretariat

1.2 100 staff to have a bilingual email signature

2017 Chief executive / Gaelic Adviser

1.3 Branding in four public reception areas of NHS Highland HQ is bilingual

2017 Board Secretariat/ Head of Estates

1.4 NHS Highland Corporate logo will be rendered bilingual, demonstrating equal respect for Gaelic and English, on the next re-brand/opportunity, and used as standard.

2017 and ongoing

Head of PR and Engagement

1.5 Corporate stationery to be bilingual

2017/18 Board Secretariat

1.6 Vehicle livery will be bilingual 2017/18 Head of Estates1.7 New or replacement signs on

NHS Highland facilities across the board area are bilingual

Rolling Programme

Head of Estates

(*) Target dates will be reviewed and updated as part of the annual monitoring reports

2. .STAFFING18

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Overall leads – Deputy Director of HR / Head of PR & EngagementActions required Target dates

(*)Responsible Officer/Department /

2.1 Follow up staff survey to offer training to support Gaelic language skills and awareness

June & July 17 Head of PR and Engagement /Gaelic Adviser

2.2 Gaelic will be encouraged in the workplace embedded as far as possible by incorporating into NHSH processes

2017 and ongoing

Chair/Chief Executive

2.3 Develop pool of 50 staff able to support medical advice/support” in Gaelic.

2017 and ongoing

Head of PR and Engagement / Gaelic Adviser

2.4 Develop a badge or some mechanism to promote to patients/service users that staff will converse in Gaelic

2017/18 Head of PR and Engagement / Gaelic Adviser

2.5 Develop pool of three staff able and willing to do media interviews

2017/18 Head of PR and Engagement / Gaelic Adviser

2.6 Develop pool of four staff willing to do bilingual Tweets four per year

2017/18 Head of PR and Engagement / Gaelic Adviser

2.7 We will publish a minimum of six articles in staff Newsletter in Gaelic each financial year

2017/18 Head of PR and Engagement / Gaelic Adviser

2.8 Recruitment Policy recognises Gaelic as an essential or desirable skill in key geographical areas where 20% or more speak Gaelic

2017/18 Deputy Director of HR

2.9 Advertising of posts in Gaelic in key geographical areas

2017/18 Operational Units HR Managers

2.10 Develop training opportunities and options

2017/18 Head of PR and Engagement / Gaelic Adviser

2.11 We will deliver training to a minimum of 100 staff

2018/19 Head of PR and Engagement / Gaelic Adviser

(*) Target dates will be reviewed and updated as part of the annual monitoring reports

3. COMMUNICATIONS AND DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS

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Overall lead – Head of PR and Engagement Actions required Target

dates (*)

Responsible Officer/Department /

3.1 Media releases /high profile topics in key geographical areas to be produced bilingually

Ongoing Communications Managers

3.2 Gather information on Gaelic as part of surveys

Ongoing Head of PR & Engagement / Principal Officer Equalities

3.3 Gaelic spokesperson to be provided for Gaelic interviews where possible

Ongoing Gaelic Adviser/ Head of PR and Engagement

3.4 Develop Bilingual Branding for Highland Quality Approach for NHS Highland HQ and Events

2017/18 Chief Executive/ Gaelic Adviser/ Head of PR and Engagement

3.5 Bilingual videos for You tube, prioritised around Early Years, Dementia, Reach out and Realistic Medicine

Autumn 2017

Communications Manager

3.6 Respond in Gaelic to any correspondence received in Gaelic within the same time frame for responses to English correspondence

Ongoing Gaelic Adviser/ Head of PR and Engagement

3.7 Highlight commitment to Gaelic Language in any contractual arrangements

Autumn 2017

Head of Procurement / Head of Contracts

3.8 Make available bilingual Complaints Form

2017/18 Staff in Clinical Governance Team

3.9 Reception staff to answer phone in Gaelic in key areas

2017/18 District /Locality Managers

3.10 Actively offer Gaelic consultations in initially in key geographical areas and Raigmore

2017/18 Gaelic Adviser/ Head of PR and Engagement/ Director of Operations

3.11 Carry out 50 clinical consultations for advice/treatment/support in Gaelic per annum

2017/18 Gaelic Adviser/ Head of PR and Engagement/ Director of Operations

3.12 Develop plan to have bilingual content on NHS Highland website which demonstrates equal respect for Gaelic and English

2017/18 Head of PR and Engagement / Head of eHealth

3.13 Three staff able to speak at public meetings / consultation events where people prefer to communicate in Gaelic

2017/18 Head of PR and Engagement / Chief Executive

3.14 Develop some basic resources such as for recruitment Fairs

2018 Workforce Planning Manager

(*) Target dates will be reviewed and updated as part of the annual monitoring reports

4. CORPUS

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Overall leads – Head of PR and Engagement/ Board Secretariat Actions required Target date Responsible

Officer/Department /4.1 NHS Highland will take

reasonable steps to ensure any services that translators provide to NHS Highland are are in line with conventions

Ongoing Head of PR &Engagement

4.2 Correct place names will be used in line with recommendations from Ainmean-àite na h-Alba (Gaelic Place names of Scotland)

Ongoing Head of PR & Engagement

4.3 Adhere to Gaelic Orthographic Conventions as published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority

Ongoing Head of PR & Engagement

4.4 Support independent assessment of Gaelic Language Plan

Spring/Summer 2017

Head of PR & Engagement

4.5 Explore opportunities to work with Research, Development and Innovation Team

Autumn 2017 Head of PR & Engagement

4.6 Repeat Staff Survey and every two years as a minimum thereafter

Spring 2019 Head of PR & Engagement

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5. Implementation

“There are a lot of patients from our islands coming into hospital with Gaelic being their native tongue - I know from experience some of these patients are more responsive when they are

spoken to in Gaelic and it puts them at ease.”

The Gaelic Language Plan will formally remain in force for a period of five years from the date it is approved by Bòrd na Gaidhlig. Prior to the end of this period we will review the plan, make such amendments as necessary and submit it to the Bòrd for approval.

In section four we have set out the individual target dates for delivery of different elements of the plan. Although it’s a five year plan the actions we have initially identified are the ones which are deliverable in 2017/18 together with some preparatory actions to support areas which will take further development prior to delivery in 2018/19. The plan will roll over through to 2022 with the plan refreshed annually.

5.1 Monitoring the Implementation of the Plan

A Monitoring Group will be established and they will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the plan.

The Group will include representatives from HR, Estates, Contracts, Nursing, Administration, Dementia Services, Staff side, communications and a board member. It will meet two times per year.

The Senior Management Team and the Board will also receive an annual monitoring report on progress, which will then be submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

5.2 Resourcing the Plan

The plan will primarily be delivered from within existing resources through budgets such as Estates and Public Relations and Engagement. Any services that translators provide will be delivered in the same way as any other translation services. The vast majority of actions are low or no cost but will have some staff and management time implications.

There may be some resources required in terms of delivering, for example, training or Gaelic materials and these will be considered on a case-by-case basis and suitable funding streams identified or funding applications prepared.

THE APPENDICES ARE NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION

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