Equality and Diversity: NHS Grampian British Sign Language Plan

Equality and Diversity

The BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 17th September 2015 and received Royal Assent on 22nd October 2015.

The Act:

  • Requires Scottish Ministers to facilitate the promotion of, the use and understanding of the language known as British sign Language
  • "(2) In furtherance of that duty, the Scottish Ministers are to prepare, lay before the Scottish Parliament and publish national plans in relation to British Sign Language in accordance with this section (such a plan being in the Act referred to as a "National Plan")"
  • Requires Scottish Ministers: "(b) to set out what the Scottish Ministers consider that relevant public authorities (see section 7) should or could do to promote, and facilitate the promotion of, the use and understanding of British Sign Language within their areas of responsibility."

As a result of this latter requirement public bodies in Scotland such as NHS Grampian are required to prepare and publish a BSL Plan which:

  • Sets out measures to facilitate the promotion and understanding of BSL
  • Sets out timescales for this work
  • "contain such other information (if any) at the Scottish Ministers may by order require."
  • Must be as consistent as possible with the most recently published National Plan
  • Must first be published in draft format and consulted upon
  • When in draft, ensures that those persons likely to be directly affected by the Draft Plan are consulted, namely BSL users and their representative organisations
  • When consulted upon, the consultation must be carried out in a way that is accessible to BSL users and people who are deafblind.
  • Takes into account representations arising from the consultation

Legislation and BSL National Plan

NHS Grampian BSL Plan

Contact Us

Roda Bird, Interim Equality and Diversity Manager

Email: roda.bird@nhs.scot

Telephone: 01224 551116

BSL users can use the free relay services to contact us:

contactScotlandBSL Contact Scotland (contactscotland-bsl.org)

Relay UK Relay UK - homepage | Relay UK (bt.com)  https://www.relayuk.bt.com/

 

Published: 03/05/2024 15:20