Question reference: S5W-31998
- Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 23 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that its COVID-19 information is made available and accessible to (a) BAME people and (b) non-native English speakers.
Answer
The Scottish Government has been working with public and third sector partners understand language and accessibility requirements, and have worked collaboratively to create and disseminate this information. Given the fast-moving nature of coronavirus-related guidance, we took into consideration the lead time with translations and the danger of out-of-date messages being shared and distributed, and focused on working in partnership to create and distribute key coronavirus information to benefit the wider community.
1. Media spend: Up-weighting for ethnic minorities through our media buy is now a standard part of our activity relating to health messaging. For example, the Test and Protect App campaign had budget allocation for media channels that support targeting to ethnic minority communities.
2. The First Minister’s daily briefings include BSL interpreters to make COVID-19 policy updates accessible to deaf people.
3. We have been working in partnership with NHS Scotland and Public Health Scotland to spread the message of available translations and formats. Organisations reached include: Scottish Refugee Council; NHS Lothian Minority Ethnic Inclusion Service (MEHIS); British Red Cross; Inclusion Scotland; Scottish Independent Living Coalition (SILC); Progress in Dialogue; Article 12.
4. In addition to translated materials we have co-created coronavirus information with organisations to develop materials specific to ME communities. For example we have been working with the Scottish Public Health Network (ScotPHN) to create a bespoke, printed Easy Read Version of the Test and Protect Door Drop created specifically for the Gypsy/Traveller community, which was distributed by COSLA to Gypsy/Traveller sites.
5. The Scottish Government is collaborating with BEMIS, the national umbrella body supporting the development of the Ethnic Minorities Voluntary Sector in Scotland, on coronavirus-related public health messaging and information for parents and carers. This includes development of supporting materials and share of information across their main networks and membership across Scotland.