News

NHS Western Isles is seeking the comments of island residents as it presents its second Gaelic Language Plan for public consultation.  

The second NHSWI Gaelic Language Plan (GLP) has been produced in-line with the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, which requires every public body in Scotland to create a GLP.  NHSWI produced its inaugural GLP in 2012 (for 2012-2017), and the proposed Gaelic Language Plan II will cover 2022-27.  

I am pleased to support NHS Western Isles’s Gaelic Language Plan.  

It is important to maintain and promote cultural identity through the medium of Gaelic.  

NHS Western Isles recognises the value and the importance of the Gaelic language and will continue to support the principles that are outlined in the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.  

Eadar-àmail Cathraiche Chair 
G. NicCanan Gillian McCannon 

This, NHS Eilean Siar’s second Gaelic Language Plan for 2022-27, sets out our aims and ambitions for Gaelic over the next five years. Building on the seminal work of our first Gaelic Language Plan, it outlines how we will seek to further sustain and promote the language in our workplace. It makes practical the aims of the National Gaelic Language Plan 2018-23 around us, in which Gaelic is used more, spoken by more citizens and in a wider range of situations.  

NHS Eileanan Siar acknowledges that the Western Isles has by far the greatest concentration of people in Scotland with Gaelic skills, according to the 2011 Census.  We are proud moreover to be a major employer in the Gaelic heartland of Scotland.  It is our resolve therefore that the next iteration of our Plan will preserve and mobilise the conditions which allow Gaelic to continue to be a community language in our townships from the Butt to Barra.  

 Ceannard an Gnìomh Chief Executive 
G. MacSheumais Gordon Jamieson 

Tha an darna Plana Cànain Gàidhlig le NHS Eileanan Siar a nise air a chuir ri chéile agus deiseil airson a chuir a-mach gu co-chomhairle phoblaich. 

A’ ruith bho 2022 gu 2027, tha na leanas a co-fhreagairt  ri amasanisstiùireadh Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig 2018-23,  beòthail am broinn seirbhisean cùram na buidhne. Tha NHS Eileanan Siar mothachail is moiteil air na tha de luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig ‘nar coimhearsnachdan an taca ris a' chòrr de Alba.   

A’ togail air a’ bhunait air a chuir sios a-cheana,  ‘s e ar miann ma tha gu’n toir an ath-chùrsa seo dhe’n Phlana againn tuilleadh piseach air sgairt is spionnadh a' chànain ‘nar measg.  

Tha ùidh is meas againn air beachdan a’ mhòr-shluaigh air a seo, ‘s mar sin feuchaibh gu’n cuir sibh thugainn iad.  

Download the NHSWI Gaelic Language Plan II draft

Island residents can make comments regarding the proposed Plan by responding directly to Mr Murdo Macleod at  Murdo.Macleod@nhs.scot, or alternatively by paper copy, addressed to: Operational Diversity Lead, Chaplaincy,  NHS Western Isles, Western Isles Hospital, Macaulay Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2AF. These comments are welcome in both Gaelic and English.  

The NHSWI Gaelic Language Plan II Community Engagement will run from Friday March 25^th  until a deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 13^th April 2022.