The role of the Welsh language in community pharmacy service provision in Wales

In Wales, around 20% of the population (580,000) speak Welsh. Although most of these also speak English, it has been reported that bilingual patients find it easier to communicate in their first language in times of stress, for example when il. Prior research specifically relating to community pharmacy has found that Welsh-speakers would generally prefer to use Welsh when discussing health issues, yet that option is not always available to them. Indeed, there is no formal requirement for community pharmacists working in Wales to possess Welsh language skills. Furthermore, the number and distribution of community pharmacies in Wales with Welsh-speaking staff is currently unknown.