Girona hosts a debate on linguistic rights in healthcare

The association Salut pel Català calls for the need to guarantee healthcare services in Catalan across the system.

Generic image of a hospital corridor with blurred medical staff.
IA

Generic image of a hospital corridor with blurred medical staff.

The Casa de Cultura in Girona hosted a conference organized by the association Salut pel Català to analyze the challenges of language in the healthcare sector.

The event brought together sector professionals, institutional representatives, and citizens to highlight the importance of ensuring quality care that includes respect for patients' linguistic rights. During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the need to establish integration plans for new professionals joining the system, ensuring they have a sufficient level of Catalan to practice with guarantees.
The organization argued that the current situation requires a cross-sectoral alliance between administrations, unions, professional associations, and the public. The ultimate goal is to consolidate Catalan as the standard language in all care settings, thereby improving communication and human-centered care for users.

"Concrete integration plans are needed for new residents to ensure a sufficient level of Catalan to practice in Catalonia."

a spokesperson for the association
According to data presented during the conference, 100% of SISCAT entities have already designated a linguistic contact person, and the vast majority have developed their own Linguistic Management Plan. These measures are part of a strategy to ensure that patients can be treated in the language of their choice, a commitment that the Department of Health maintains as a priority in its territorial deployment in the Girona region.