Email Trail 1

From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 01 February 2018 16:00 To: Officer 2 (HSS - Honours) Breheny, Tracey (DHSS - Deputy Director of Substance Misuse, Government & Corporate Business) Cc: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: FW: Sign Language / Welsh Translation Service

Hi Both To see below – Equalities think these are for Health to answer. . There does not appear to be an obvious lead on this from my enquiries so far.

Grateful for a steer on how we respond please Thanks

Officer 1

From: Dear, Paul (EPS - Equality & Prosperity) Sent: 01 February 2018 15:49 To: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Cc: Officer 3 (HSS - Government Business Team); Officer 4 (EPS - Equality & Prosperity); Officer 5 (EPS - Equality & Prosperity); Officer 6 (EPS - Equality & Prosperity) Subject: RE: Sign Language / Welsh Translation Service

Officer 1,

I think this must be for Health to answer as it relates to Health Boards’ arrangements for supporting BSL and we’re not in a position to advise on that. Nor do we have any involvement with WITS so unable to help with that either.

I’m not really sure who to suggest instead but you might ask Tracey Breheny for advice on this.

Paul

Paul Dear Pennaeth Cydraddoldeb / Head of Equality Llywodraeth Cymru / Parc / CF10 3NQ

Tel. REDACTED

From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 01 February 2018 15:13 To: Dear, Paul (EPS - Equality & Prosperity); Officer 4 (EPS - Equality & Prosperity) Cc: Officer 3 (HSS - Government Business Team); Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: FW: Sign Language / Welsh Translation Service

Hi Both Please see attached 2 items of ministerial correspondence regarding the decision to merge BSL with WITS (both from the same person and asking the same questions). We understand this relates to a contract managed by City Council, rather than NHS Wales.

Would you be best placed to lead on this please and would you be willing to accept a transfer?

Grateful for an early response given the deadline for responding on the first one is 9th February

Thanks

Officer 1

Email Trail 2

From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 01 February 2018 13:44 To: Officer 3 (HSS - Government Business Team) Cc: Officer 7 (HSS - Government Business Team) Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: FW: Sign Language / Welsh Translation Service

Officer 3 Any thoughts on these? It doesn’t look like anyone wants to take the lead.

Officer 1 Government Business Team Health and Social Services Group Ext REDACTED

From: Officer 2 (HSS - Operations Team and Welsh Language Policy) Sent: 01 February 2018 13:20 To: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Cc: Breheny, Tracey (DHSS - Deputy Director of Substance Misuse, Government & Corporate Business); Officer 7 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: RE: Sign Language / Welsh Translation Service

Hi Officer 1

I remember there were queries late last year and I think there was an FOI concerning WITS and I think this was dealt with by the central Equality Team as it was a WG contracts and not just for the NHS. The NHS All Wales Sensory Loss Standards dealt with by Officer 11 is a completely separate piece of work.

I have looked through IShare and cannot find anything that Officer 11 dealt with on this subject

Regards Officer 2

From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 01 February 2018 11:22 To: Officer 2 (HSS - Operations Team and Welsh Language Policy) Cc: HSS - Operations Team (Mailbox); Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: FW: Sign Language / Welsh Translation Service

Hi Officer 2 Please see attached 2 items of ministerial correspondence regarding the decision to merge BSL with WITS (both from the same person and asking the same questions). I understand Officer 11 previously zzworked on the All-Wales Standards for Sensory Loss.

Would you be best placed to advise on how best to respond to this please?

Thanks Officer 1

Officer 1 Government Business Team Health and Social Services Group Ext REDACTED

From: Officer 8 (HSS – Primary Care) Sent: 01 February 2018 11:10 To: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Cc: Officer 9 (HSS-Healthcare Technology & Innovation); HSS - Primary Care Mailbox; Officer 10 (HSS - DHP Primary Care) Subject: RE: Sign Language / Welsh Translation Service

Thank you Officer 1, firstly, please note the above news item.

There is no overall lead in the Welsh Government for BSL.

Education (social services local authority) is responsible for BSL in schools/recruitment and training of those providing the BSL.

Tracey Breheny’s team is responsible for the ‘All Wales Standards for Accessible Communication and Information for People with Sensory Loss’, a document developed by Officer 11/Officer 2 and launched by the Cab Sec in 2013. They set up groups in each health board to progress the standards and so BSL should form part of this work – e.g. ensuring health boards provide BSL interpreters for patients when needed.

Health boards are responsible for providing interpretation services for asylum seekers/welsh speakers through the language line – BSL should be and I assume is provided as part of this.

I hope this is helpful.

Cofion Cynnes/Kind Regards,

Officer 8 Head of Audiology/Ophthalmic Policy Pennaeth Polisi Awdioleg/Offthalmig Primary Care Division Yr Is-adran Gofal Sylfaenol Directorate of Health Policy/Cyfarwyddiaeth Polisi Iechyd Department for Health and Social Services Yr Adran Iechydm a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Welsh Government/Llywodraeth Cymru Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ/Parc Cathays, Caerdydd CF10 3NQ

From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 01 February 2018 09:54 To: Official 8 (HSS – Primary Care) Cc: Official 9 (HSS-Healthcare Technology & Innovation); HSS - Primary Care Mailbox; Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: Sign Language / Welsh Translation Service

Hi Official 8 I’ve got 2 jackets to draft on the above. Is this your area please?

I haven’t got a lot to go on in terms of lines so any assistance would be gratefully received! Cheers Officer 1

Email Trail 3

From: Officer 7 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 12 February 2018 10:59 To: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: RE: 20182014 - VG/00353/18 - AM - Sign language aspect of the Welsh Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS)

I’ve added a correction but it didn’t go in tracked – sorry – in this letter they say he has already met with

Officer 7

Officer 7 Head of Government and Corporate Business Tîm Business Llywodraeth a Corfforaethol | Government and Corporate Business Team Grŵp Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol | Health and Social Services Group Llywodraeth Cymru | Welsh Government Ffôn | Tel: REDACTED E-bost | Email: REDACTED www.cymru.gov.uk | www.wales.gov.uk

From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 12 February 2018 07:38 To: Officer 7 (HSS - Government Business Team) Cc: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: FW: 20182014 - VG/00353/18 - David Melding AM - Sign language aspect of the Welsh Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS)

Officer 7 The other WITS correspondence for clearance please (same wording as the other one). It would be good to get this down ASAP to link up with the other one. Thanks Officer 1

From: Officer 12 (OFMCO-Cabinet Division) Sent: 31 January 2018 09:41 To: HSS - Correspondence and AQs Mailbox Subject: 20182014 - VG/00353/18 - David Melding AM - Sign language aspect of the Welsh Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS)

Please find attached correspondence dated 31/01/2018 about Welsh Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS from David Melding AM

Email Trail 4

From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 12 February 2018 11:03 To: Correspondence mail - VG Cc: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: FW: 20182014 - VG/00353/18 - David Melding AM - Sign language aspect of the Welsh Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS)

Hi Officer 12 Draft reply attached – please cross-reference with almost identical correspondence sent on Friday – VG/ 310/18 Thanks Officer 1

Ein cyf/Our ref VG/00353/18

David Melding AM Assembly Member for South Wales Central Office 2, 20 Pantbach Road Birchgrove Cardiff CF14 1UA

[email protected] February 2018

Dear David,

Thank you for your email of 31 January on behalf of your constituent Cedric Moon regarding his concerns in relation to the Wales Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS).

As my Department do not have direct links with the Wales Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS), I asked my officials to make some enquiries about the matter. The Welsh Government provided one off funding of £120,000 for WITS in 2009/2010 as part of a collaboration with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Cardiff County Council. Since then no further funding has been provided. The service is currently hosted by Cardiff County Council following a transfer from Gwent Police in 2017. It is for health boards to decide whether or not to use WITS or other service providers.

Whilst your constituent has indicated to you that he has already raised his concerns with Cardiff County Council, I note that WITS itself is actively seeking feedback from the public. I understand that WITS is hosting two engagement workshops for the Deaf Community in March, with the declared intention of working with the public to develop and improve their service. The details provided on their website indicate these will take place on Thursday 8th March 9:30-11:30 at Wrexham Deaf Club, Wrexham Victoria Centre, 13 Hill Street, Wrexham, LL11 1SN and Thursday 8th March 13:00-15:00 at Centre of Sign-Sight-Sound, 77 Conway Road, Colwyn Bay, Conwy. LL29 7LN

Yours sincerely,

Vaughan Gething AC/AM Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services

To: Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social VG/00353/18 Services CC: From: Officer 1 HSSG Government Business Team Ext: REDACTED Date: 9 February 2018

1. David Melding AM has written on behalf of a constituent regarding concerns about the decision to merge British Sign Language with the Wales Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS).

2. A draft reply is attached for your consideration.

Email Trail 5

From: Officer 2 (HSS - Operations Team and Welsh Language Policy) Sent: 07 February 2018 16:59 To: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: RE: 20180209 - VG/00310/18 - AM obo constituent Cedric Moon - British Sign Language and Translation enitity services alias (zA2409734)

Hi Officer 1

Officer 11 has provided some information. I will be chatting to Officer 7 tomorrow to see what should go in the replies. I would hope we will meet the deadline

Officer 2

-----Original Message----- From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 07 February 2018 13:35 To: Officer 2 (HSS - Operations Team and Welsh Language Policy) Cc: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: 20180209 - VG/00310/18 - Julie Morgan AM obo constituent Cedric Moon - British Sign Language and Translation enitity services alias (zA2409734)

Hi Officer 2 I'm conscious that the first of the 2 ministerials on BSL / WITS is due back on Friday. Will we be able to meet the deadline please? Thanks Officer 1

Email Trail 6

From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 09 February 2018 17:15 To: Correspondence mail - VG Cc: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: FW: 20180209 - VG/00310/18 - Julie Morgan AM obo constituent Cedric Moon - British Sign Language and Translation enitity services

Draft reply attached - thanks

Officer 1 Government Business Team Health and Social Services Group Ext REDACTED

From: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Sent: 09 February 2018 17:11 To: Officer 7 (HSS - Government Business Team) Cc: Officer 1 (HSS - Government Business Team) Subject: FW: 20180209 - VG/00310/18 - Julie Morgan AM obo constituent Cedric Moon - British Sign Language and Translation enitity services

Draft for clearance please.

Officer 1 Government Business Team Health and Social Services Group

From: Officer 13 (OFMCO - Cabinet Division) Sent: 26 January 2018 15:20 To: HSS - Correspondence and AQs Mailbox Subject: 20180209 - VG/00310/18 - Julie Morgan AM obo constituent Cedric Moon - British Sign Language and Translation enitity services

Please find attached correspondence dated 24/01/2018 about British Sign Language and Translation enitity services from Julie Morgan AM Eich cyf/Your ref JM/627-60813 Ein cyf/Our ref VG/00310/18

Julie Morgan AM Assembly Member for Cardiff North National Assembly for Wales Ty Hywel Cardiff Bay Cardiff CF99 1NA February 2018

Dear Julie,

Thank you for your letter of 24 January on behalf of your constituent Cedric Moon regarding his concerns in relation to the Wales Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS) .

As my Department do not have direct links with the Wales Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS), I asked my officials to make some enquiries about the matter. The Welsh Government provided one off funding of £120,000 for WITS in 2009/2010 as part of a collaboration with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Cardiff County Council. Since then no further funding has been provided. The service is currently hosted by Cardiff County Council following a transfer from Gwent Police in 2017. It is for health boards to decide whether or not to use WITS or other service providers.

Whilst your constituent may wish to raise his concerns with Cardiff County Council, I note that WITS itself is actively seeking feedback from the public. I understand that WITS is hosting two engagement workshops for the Deaf Community in March, with the declared intention of working with the public to develop and improve their service. The details provided on their website indicate these will take place on Thursday 8th March 9:30-11:30 at Wrexham Deaf Club, Wrexham Victoria Centre, 13 Hill Street, Wrexham, LL11 1SN and Thursday 8th March 13:00-15:00 at Centre of Sign-Sight-Sound, 77 Conway Road, Colwyn Bay, Conwy. LL29 7LN

Yours sincerely,

Vaughan Gething AC/AM Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services

To: Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social VG/00310/18 Services CC: From: Officer 1 HSSG Government Business Team Ext: REDACTED Date: 9 February 2018

1. Julie Morgan has written on behalf of a constituent regarding concerns about the decision to merge British Sign Language with the Wales Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS).

2. A draft reply is attached for your consideration.