Language also heals: why Catalan is a matter of patient safety (23 October 2026)

Summary

This article explores the importance of language in healthcare as a matter of patient safety, highlighting the work of Fundació Puigvert, a hospital in Barcelona, to promote the use of Catalan through its 2026–2030 Language Management Plan. It makes the case that patients need to be able to communicate in their preferred language to ensure they are properly understood and receive appropriate care. The Language Management Plan will create a network of language advocates and record the patient’s preferred language in their medical record.