Province to Hire Health Co-ordinator for Acadian-Francophone Nova Scotians

HEALTH--Province to Hire Health Co-ordinator for Acadian- Francophone Nova Scotians

Nova Scotia's Acadian-francophone community will benefit from the work of a French-language health services co-ordinator, the ministers of Health and Acadian Affairs announced today, May 23.

"Language can often be a barrier in accessing health-care services and we expect the co-ordinator will help to address this," said Jane Purves, Minister of Health. "While the co- ordinator position is new, the idea of working collaboratively with Acadian Affairs, district health authorities and community groups is not. It has taken much co-operation to bring us to this day."

The French-language health services co-ordinator position will be advertised early in the summer. The co-ordinator will work with the Acadian-francophone community and district health authorities to develop a plan that would allow the health system to be more responsive to the health needs of the French-speaking population.

"We are pleased to work with the Department of Health staff to see this initiative move forward," said Neil LeBlanc, Minister responsible for Acadian Affairs. "The government is taking an active role in responding to people's concerns about access to services in French-speaking communities."

The ministers also agreed that this initiative will provide valuable information about how the province can better respond to the language, culture and specific health needs of other minority groups. It complements the department's diversity and social inclusion initiative, which is a three-year program in primary health care.

The 2001 census indicates 35,400 Acadians and francophones reside in Nova Scotia, primarily in Cape Breton, Halifax Regional Municipality and South Western Nova Scotia.

The Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia held consultations in May 2002 in Acadian and francophone communities to assess the availability of French-language health services in these areas. The need to improve access to primary care, acute care, mental health and long-term care services in French were among some of the concerns raised.