NHS Highland to move to dual language branding as part of its Gaelic plan

NHS Highland is ready to move to dual language branding as part of its Gaelic plan after NHS Scotland and the Cabinet Secretary for Health approved the move.

Previously, the plan was put to one side as the health board was heavily occupied in dealing with the Covid pandemic, but it now looks set to move ahead.

• Making NHS Highlands signs bilingual with Gaelic and English put to one side as the pandemic severely disrupted services

The roll-out is expected to happen in the near future but there is no word on the actual cost of changing signs to include Gaelic.

The board will join a number of other north agencies in moving to Gaelic-English logos including Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Police Scotland.

Cash from Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund will provide for “key signage” at Raigmore Hospital and Assynt House board headquarters.

Ruth Fry, head of communications and engagement said: “Discussions with Bòrd na Gàidhlig have emphasised the importance and meaningful impact that a bilingual logo could have in terms of awareness raising.

“Many of the public authorities with Gaelic language plans have already implemented bilingual logos, and in this respect, NHS Highland has been lagging behind.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.