To celebrate St David’s Day, Hywel Dda University Health Board has created a video to emphasise the importance of the Welsh language in healthcare.

The video stars two-year-old Ioan Downes, who was born six weeks prematurely at Glangwili Hospital, and like many of the children in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, his mother-tongue is Welsh.

The health board recognises the importance of healthcare professionals being sensitive to the language needs of those using local health services, and it is hoped that this video will help to raise awareness of treating patients in their language of choice.

Dan Downes, Ioan’s father said "We are raising Ioan in a Welsh household and as yet he has not been introduced to the English language. As a premature baby, Ioan accesses health services regularly and it is paramount to us as his parents that he is treated in his language of need so that the assessments on his progress are as accurate as possible."

Dr Llinos Roberts, GP at Tumble Surgery said: "As a GP, the ability to communicate effectively with patients is absolutely necessary in order to provide the best care.

"A conversation in the patients’ language of choice is key, and the situation is even more relevant in the treatment of children who speak Welsh only.

"In my experience it is able to converse in Welsh with children in this way not only makes them feel comfortable and relaxed in my company, but also allows me to communicate directly with the child without having to rely on anyone to translate.

"The experience of going to a doctor can be scary for a child, but having seen a doctor who speaks the same language as them makes a world of difference and enable them to clearly explain how they feel."

The health board will show the video to all new staff at their Corporate Induction and at Welsh Language Awareness sessions held across the organisation.

The video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/1OAu1qB0DkQ