Government of Nova Scotia gov.ns.ca
gov.ns.ca Government of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia, Canada
Health and Wellness

French Language Health Services

Through the creation of the French Language Services Act and the development of the French Language Services Regulations that have been in effect since Janurary 1, 2007, the Government of Nova Scotia has declared its commitment to increasing services in French to the Acadians and francophones of Nova Scotia.

Department of Health French Language Services plan document sets out our goals for 2009-2010 to increase access to French language health services.

 

French-language services offered by the Department of Health

 

Below are some highlights of Department of Health's current French language programs, initiatives, and services:

Primary Health Care

  • In partnership with Réseau Santé, developed the Directory of French Speaking Primary Health Care Professionals which is now posted on Department of Health's Primary Health Care website. The Phase III Directory project is underway to explore possible avenues of collaboration with professional associations/regulatory bodies to forge partnerships that will establish support for the Directory and its ongoing maintenance. A total of 16 professional associations/regulatory bodies have informally accepted to participate in the ongoing maintenance of the Directory.
  • Liaise with and support Primary Health Care managers within district health authorities and the IWK Health Centre on issues related to French language health services.

 

Continuing Care Services

  • There are bilingual home support services available in districts health authorities. There are also 6 bilingual nursing homes and 2 bilingual residential care facilities across the province.
  • Continuing Care staff are encouraged and supported to take French language training to better respond to the needs of their Acadian and francophone clients. Continuing Care services within the districts receive the information about French language training courses first.
  • An Exception to the First Available Bed Policy was implemented in 2006 with the aim of providing French-speaking Nova Scotians, and others with compelling circumstances, to wait for placement in the most suitable long-term care facility rather than being required to accept the first available bed.

 

Physician Services

  • Physician Services and French Language Services are partnering with Department of Education, CNFS, Réseau Santé, Université Sainte-Anne, district health authorities/IWK, and health professionals to determine supports needed to ensure the success of the initiative that trains physicians and medicine in French through Québec-New Brunswick Agreement.

 

Nursing Policy

  • In our commitment to increasing the number of French speaking health professionals in Nova Scotia , the Department of Health funded French language nursing bursaries to encourage French speaking nursing graduates to gain employment in Nova Scotia after graduation.

 

Emergency Health Services

  • Approximately 70 paramedics are bilingual and offer Emergency Health Services in French across Nova Scotia .

 

French Language Health Services

The Coordinator of French Language Health Services:

  • acts as the liaison between the Department of Health, the Acadian and francophone community through partnerships with Réseau Santé, Université Sainte-Anne, and CNFS
  • participates in departmental, interdepartmental and provincial planning to ensure delivery of French language health services is incorporated into the planning process
  • provides advice and feedback to the Department of Health, DHAs, and IWK Health Centre on the implementation of new initiatives to enhance access and availability of services within the health system
  • provides support for document translation and document review to Department of Health, DHAs, and IWK Health Centre

 

Links to District Health Authorities' French Language Services Plan