Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board recognised for improving the use of Welsh in healthcare
The dedicated Welsh Language team have been awarded for their efforts in improving the lives of people living with dementia.
Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board was the only organisation in Wales to be nominated in three categories at this year’s More than just words Celebration Event in Cardiff.
The Welsh Language team scooped the ‘Active Offer’ award with their Language Choice Scheme and were highly commended in the ‘innovation’ category and the ‘Developing a Bilingual Workforce’ strategy, following the appointment of a new Welsh Language tutor.
They were also highly commended for their leadership approach in establishing a pan North Wales Forum for health and social care organisations to address the Welsh Government’s ‘More than just words’ framework and to share good practice.
Over the years, various research efforts have confirmed that patients living with dementia revert to their mother tongue as their condition deteriorates, leaving some patients unable to recall the language they have learnt most recently.
To benefit those living with the disease, the team piloted a ‘Preferred Language Scheme’ with dementia patients on Glaslyn Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd. The aim of the scheme is for our patients to receive Welsh language services without having to request them.
Dementia Nurse Specialist, Delyth Thomas, said the new scheme provides a proactive approach to ensure that the Welsh language needs are identified as an integral part of safe, high quality person centred care.
She said: “The active offer provides services in Welsh for individuals by asking if they need their hospital services through the medium of Welsh.
“If this is requested, a Welsh speaker symbol is placed on the white board above their bed, which allows everyone to make an effort in Welsh whilst communicating with the patient.
“This shows dignity and respect towards the individual and the Welsh culture and helps to offer equal opportunities during conversations, and reduces anxiety.”
Those who have benefitted from the scheme include Iorys and Helen Griffith from Bangor.
Iorys, 87, who was diagnosed with dementia many years ago, said the scheme has improved his care during his time as a patient on Hebog Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd.
He said: “The nurses on the ward are great and I think it is a very good thing that they have introduced the new scheme to identify Welsh-speakers.”
Head of Welsh Language Services at BCUHB, Eleri Hughes Jones, said her team were thrilled with the award which acknowledged their hard work in improving patient care.
She said: “We are very pleased that the Health Board’s efforts to build upon its Welsh medium services has been acknowledged and celebrated in all three categories at the More Than Just Words Celebration Event.
“We are especially proud of the dementia team at Ysbyty Gwynedd for their achievement in actively offering patients Welsh medium services.
“Their innovative approach has improved access for patients to Welsh medium services.”
The team are now in the process of disseminating the scheme to all wards at Ysbyty Gwynedd and at mental health units at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Glan Clwyd Hospital.
Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, Gary Doherty, said: “I would like to congratulate our Welsh Language Services team for their recent success.
“Not only has their Language Scheme benefitted our Welsh speaking patients living with dementia on Glaslyn Ward, but the wider workforce has also seen the benefit of the scheme.
“I am pleased to hear the scheme will now to be rolled out on to all wards at Ysbyty Gwynedd and across our other sites.
“Llongyfarchiadau i’r tîm i gyd!”
