Launch of maternity records promoting the Welsh language
At the Royal College of Midwives’ annual conference in Cardiff yesterday, the All Wales Maternity Record was launched by the Health Minister Edwina Hart. The Maternity Records are a result of the collaboration between Twf, a Welsh Language Board project, and the NHS in Wales. They have been produced to coincide with the introduction of the new national notes which will be given to all pregnant mothers in Wales from April.
The Health Minister said:
“These Records have been developed as a practical resource for pregnant mothers, enabling them to keep all their records and details about their pregnancy in one place. They will also help the midwife in assessing a mother’s pregnancy.
“The fact that they include the Twf message is central to another aspect of the midwife’s responsibility – presenting information to parents which will enable them to make an informed choice about giving their baby the best start. Giving consideration to the language of the home is key to a child’s social wellbeing.
"The midwife has an important role to play when discussing language choice with future parents. They are the ones who have access to parents at a time when they are making all kinds of key decision about their children’s future. The Maternity Record will assist midwives to communicate this message and lead to discussion on the matter.”
Chair of the Welsh Language Board, Meri Huws, added: “The Records, like all Twf products, have been attractively designed and include important information about language transmission and the advantages of introducing two languages from day one. The Baby Talk glossary will help parents who are not familiar or not confident in speaking the language to say a few Welsh words to their babies. The Records are a fantastic way of conveying the message to parents, enabling them time to consider the options and discussed how Welsh can be introduced at their home.”
Notes
Also today, Twf launched a branded tape measure to give to midwives, which will be a constant reminder that they need to discuss language transmission with parents.
For further information, please contact Meinir Jones on 029 2087 8000 or 07977 219395