July 9th 2026
Welsh GPs offer limited bilingual signage and a lack of visible Welsh language provision, inspectors have said.
In a new report, Welsh language in healthcare inspections: Insights and progress, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales also identified gaps in the availability of printed bilingual materials and inconsistencies in staff training to support Welsh language needs.
Among GP practices, the regulator found strong visibility and integration of the Welsh language in some services, and Welsh routinely used in interactions where it is the preferred language.
In summary, the regulator concludes that the Active Offer was weak or absent in several cases. It says: “These findings highlight the need for a more consistent and structured approach to recording language preferences, strengthening the Active Offer, and improving both the visibility of Welsh language provision and staff capability.”
