Investigating language planning in Stroke Services:2 points in time
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating language planning in North Wales Stroke Services: patient, practitioner and stakeholder perspectives at two points in time.
IRAS ID
216653
Contact name
Gwilym S ap Gruffudd
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bangor University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 29 days
Research summary
Although most Welsh speakers in Wales also speak English, many feel more comfortable and confident communicating in Welsh when accessing health and social care. A range of legal, clinical and policy statutory governance and guidelines exists in Wales which serve as the main drivers for Welsh language services in health and social care, although recent reports suggest a significant shortfall in the Welsh language awareness of practitioners and a lack of commitment within healthcare organisations to plan for Welsh language provision. Such deficiencies have been shown to compromise the quality of care and treatment of Welsh speakers, particularly amongst vulnerable client groups.
Offering language choice in health and social care in Wales is a legal requirement, embodied in the Welsh Language Act 1993. The Act demands that the public sector of Health and Social Care give equal status to both Welsh and English in service provision in Wales. Therefore, language choice in a health and social care context should be provided as a legal requisite. In addition, the coalition document One Wales and the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages seeks to promote Welsh language provision in health and social care in a legislative context from a users’ perspective. The statutory and legal requirement for the provision of language appropriate services is firmly established, however how these issues should be implemented in health and social care is unclear.
Vulnerable groups such as those who have experienced a stroke may be considered a useful exemplar to explore these issues. Stroke patients have complex health and social care needs, that involve complex processes and service configurations, and intervention from multiple perspectives. Stroke affects a broad and complex range of problems including: mobility and balance, decreased or loss of psychomotor skills, decreased independence, problems with cognition, communication challenges, depression, loss of employment, impaired or limited driving skills, and limited involvement in social or leisure activities.
The aim of the study is to construct a framework for language planning in health care using stroke as an exemplar. The Study’s objectives are:
1. To identify the needs, aspirations and perceptions for Welsh language provision in health and social care as reported by stroke service users.
2. To explore the views of service planners and service providers/organisations and practitioners for Welsh language provision in the health and social care of stroke patients.
3. Using theoretical perspectives, to synthesise the requirements for Welsh language provision in health and social care to inform policy and practice.REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
16/WA/0365
Date of REC Opinion
28 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion