NHS Highland is considering implementing a Gaelic logo and dedicated hospital radio programmes as part of efforts to boost the language.
The health board area is home to around half of Scotland’s 87,000 Gaelic users.
A new plan, covering its plans for the language over the next five years, is expected to be signed off at a meeting next week.
But some staff have raised concerns about the board’s priorities, at a time when it needs to save £33 million.
‘Gaelic has had a positive impact on patients’
The authority already has staff who use Gaelic informally, and one of the main aims going forward is to identify where the language is available to patients.
It is currently providing classes for around 20 employees, and aims to roll this out further over the coming years.
The draft plan sets out its position through to 2028. Creating such a document every five years is a requirement for all public bodies in Scotland.
NHS Highland states: “We have heard many anecdotal stories of how Gaelic has had a positive impact on patients and staff at times where patients may have been feeling at their most vulnerable, including examples in maternity and dementia service.”
And health board chairman Prof Boyd Robertson said: “We will ensure that, where Gaelic services are made available by us, Gaelic users are made aware of their existence and are actively encouraged to use them.”
Some of the actions proposed include:
- Developing Gaelic programmes for hospital radio
- Providing Gaelic representatives on community planning partnerships
- Establishing a Gaelic-specific Instagram page
- Helping reception staff to answer the phone in Gaelic
Additionally, the plan proposes that NHS Highland’s corporate logo and branding are re-rendered to give equal prominence to both Gaelic and English “at the first opportunity”, with a target date of April 2023.
But it notes that permission for this is still required from NHS Scotland.
None of these projects have prices listed, but bosses say funding applications will be made to cover any additional costs.
Language could help recruit staff
Some of the aims going forward could help the health board attract staff.
Job adverts will list Gaelic as an “essential or desirable” skill, and some recent recruitment efforts have already included bilingual descriptions.
NHS Highland also plans to have a bigger presence at job fairs, particularly those targeting Gaelic speakers.
‘Money should be spent elsewhere’
The report highlights the results of a staff consultation, noting that some view it as a waste of cash.
Feedback suggested they feel everyone who speaks Gaelic can also speak English, and consideration should be given to other languages instead.
It noted: “Those who were not in support of the Gaelic plan felt that money should not be spent on Gaelic, when the NHS is faced with so many other priorities and challenges.”
However, most of the upcoming changes will be funded using existing resources, looking at budgets for the likes of estates and communications.
And, if the five-year plan is approved by Bord na Gaidhlig, applications to fund specific aspects of it will be submitted to other organisations.
“Many actions are low cost or no cost but will have some staff and management time implications,” the report says.
“There may be some resources required in terms of delivering training, for example, or Gaelic materials.
“These will be considered on a case-by-case basis and suitable funding streams identified or funding applications prepared.”
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