Francophone Health Co-ordinator Hired

Nova Scotia's Acadian-francophone community will benefit from the work of a French-language health services co-ordinator hired by the Department of Health.

"This is a step forward in improving access to health-care services for many French-speaking Nova Scotians," said Health Minister Angus MacIsaac. "This initiative will also lay the groundwork for responding to language, culture and specific health needs of other minority groups in our province."

The co-ordinator position was announced in spring 2003. It is funded, in part, through Acadian Affairs by the Canada-Nova Scotia General Agreement on the Promotion of Official Languages.

Micheline Daigle-LeBlanc was the successful candidate of the competition, held during fall 2003. She began working at the Department of Health on Feb. 2.

Ms. Daigle-LeBlanc has worked within the Nova Scotia health system for 10 years, her most recent experience being with the Capital Health District as manager of recruitment, retention and performance management. She holds a master of science in organizational psychology and is fluently bilingual.

Acadian Affairs Minister Chris d'Entremont said he's pleased to welcome Ms. Daigle-LeBlanc and the new role. "Micheline will work closely with the Acadian-francophone community and district health authorities to develop a plan that will allow the health system to be more responsive to the health needs of the French-speaking population."

The 2001 census indicates 36,750 Acadians and francophones reside in Nova Scotia, primarily in Cape Breton, Halifax Regional Municipality and South Western Nova Scotia.

La Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse 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.