The National Health Service (Ophthalmic Services) (Wales) Regulations 2023

Welsh Language

7.—(1) Where the contractor provides primary ophthalmic services through the medium of Welsh, the contractor must notify the Local Health Board of that fact.

(2) The contractor must make available a Welsh language version of any document or form provided by the Local Health Board for use by patients and other members of the public.

(3) Where the contractor displays a new sign or notice in connection with primary ophthalmic services, the text on the sign or notice must be in English and Welsh.

(4) The contractor may utilise the translation service offered by the Local Health Board for the purposes of sub-paragraph (3).

(5) The contractor must encourage persons delivering primary ophthalmic services who speak Welsh to wear a badge provided by the Local Health Board conveying that they are able to speak Welsh.

(6) The contractor must encourage persons delivering primary ophthalmic services to utilise information and/or attend training courses and events provided by the Local Health Board, so that they can develop—

(a) an awareness of the Welsh language (including awareness of its history and its role in Welsh culture), and

(b) an understanding of how the Welsh language can be used when delivering primary ophthalmic services.

(7) The contractor must encourage those delivering primary ophthalmic services to establish and record the Welsh or English language preference expressed by or on behalf of a patient.