Public Service Interpreting for healthcare and support for language equity: a comparative evaluation in South Wales and Central Scotland

The purpose of my proposed research project is to appraise the need for foreign language interpreting for healthcare in Wales, and to explore developments for addressing challenges faced by interpreters, healthcare workers, and service users.
Overview: Public Service Interpreting (PSI) facilitates "communication between officials and lay people" (Wadensjö, 2011:43). Legally, public services in England, Scotland and Wales must eliminate discrimination as directed in the Equality Act 2010. Additionally, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 promotes well-being regarding "the characteristics, culture and beliefs of the individual (including, for example, language)," (2014:7). Moreover, the Welsh Government published a policy document supporting health and well-being provision for refugees and asylum seekers (2018a). It also advised additional language support for asylum seekers and refugees, and reported that Cardiff was one of four dispersal areas for asylum seekers within Wales selected by the Home Office (2022).