What action is the Cabinet Secretary taking to introduce a fast track approach to boost the number of BSL translators working in health care in Wales?
We are committed to strengthening the provision of BSL across public services. The Welsh Government supports Mark Isherwood’s BSL (Wales) Bill, which promotes and facilitates the use of BSL in Wales, empowering the deaf BSL signing community. This underpins our commitment to fostering a more equitable Wales.
We established a BSL stakeholder task and finish group in January 2025 to inform policy development and advise on issues which affect the lives of deaf BSL signers in Wales. It was tasked with developing recommendations to inform a BSL policy route map. These are available at; British Sign Language (BSL) Stakeholder Group: recommendations [HTML] | GOV.WALES. The route map lays the groundwork for future policy and action, to create lasting change and greater inclusion for deaf BSL signers.
The recommendations include a long-term recommendation in relation to the BSL interpreting and translation workforce. This involves two aspects:
Mapping and researching the existing career barriers to becoming and progressing as a BSL interpreter or translator; and
Working with Careers Wales and other appropriate groups to consider ways in which a career in interpreting or translation could be promoted.
The Wales Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS) was set up in 2009 to meet the interpretation and translation needs of the Public Sector. Hosted by Cardiff Council since 2017, WITS provides access to a wide range of registered interpreters covering approximately 120 languages, including BSL.
Partner organisations can access the WITS on-demand services through the partner agreement. All health boards and NHS trusts in Wales are partners. WITS already sources and allocates professional interpreters and translators for public sector application.
On 22 September, we published the new NHS All-Wales Accessible Communication and Information Standards. Their implementation is underpinned by a collaborative and trauma-informed approach. An implementation steering group will be established in the new year to support the delivery of action across NHS Wales to meet the renewed standards and drive forward changes.