Pictou County Health Authority

French-language Services

Pictou County Health Authority

French-language Services Plan for 2008-2009

Name of public institution:

Pictou County Health Authority

Message from the CEO:

The Pictou County Health Authority (PCHA) is responsible for delivering health care services to the 48,000 residents of Pictou County, an area that does not have a significant francophone population or Acadian communities. The Pictou County Health Authority does provide regional programs to the larger population of northeastern Nova Scotia, an area that does include a francophone population and Acadian community.

Nova Scotia’s new French-language Services Act gives us the opportunity to improve and expand the French language services we currently provide to our patients and clients. While we fully acknowledge that what we do offer is very limited, we look forward to enhancing those services and setting goals for the future

Patrick Lee
Chief Executive Officer

Response to verbal and written requests in French:

Verbal requests – The Pictou County Health Authority maintains a list (as part of its emergency preparedness plan) of French-speaking staff and physicians who have agreed to provide French language services in the event of an emergency or other urgent situation. Requests for French-speaking health professionals are typically made by the patient/client at the time of admission.

Written requests – The Pictou County Health Authority would have to seek assistance through the Office of Acadian Affairs if written correspondence in French is required.

French-language services offered:

The French-language services offered by the Pictou County Health Authority are offered as requested, and when available.

French-language plan will contribute to the preservation and growth of the Acadian and francophone community:

Our plan includes measures related to communicating in French, consulting the Acadian and francophone community, and increasing and promoting services available in French. By allowing Acadians and francophones to access services in their mother tongue, we will be contributing to the preservation of this official language linguistic minority community.

Goals, Objectives and Measures for 2008-2009:

Corporate Objective 1. Strengthening the policy, regulatory and administrative framework in support of the French-language Services Act.

Specific goals and objectives for 2008-2009

• Develop internal policy related to providing services in French, in support of the French-language Services Act.

Specific measures which will be taken to achieve these goals and objectives in 2008-2009

• Include the policy in staff orientation program.

Corporate Objective 2. Consulting with the Acadian and francophone community.

Specific goals and objectives for 2008-2009

• Establishment and prioritization of French-language services to be offered, and of strategies or approaches to service delivery.

Specific measures which will be taken to achieve these goals and objectives in 2008-2009

• Determine the existence of and identify the Acadian and francophone communities within the boundaries of the Pictou County Health Authority.
• Consult with the Acadian and francophone community in order to ascertain and prioritize needs for French-language services.
• Review Reseau Sante’s recent report, particularly recommendations for improving French-language health services.
• Determine initiatives that the health authority can implement within existing resources.

Corporate Objective 3. Communicating, sharing information, and promoting services available in French.

Specific goals and objectives for 2008-2009

• Public information is available in both English and French.
• Staff and the public are more aware of the approach being taken by government to provide French-language services.

Specific measures which will be taken to achieve these goals and objectives in 2008-2009

• Survey all staff and physicians with the goal to compile of list of those who are able and willing to provide services in French (verbal and written).
• The list will be available at all sites and in all programs.
• Promote the “Bonjour” campaign for staff who offer services in French.
• Conduct an audit to determine what, if any, services are available in French.
• Develop a plan to address the priorities in gaps of French language service.

Corporate Objective 4. Supporting French-language services development, planning and delivery in priority areas.

Specific goals and objectives for 2008-2009

• Develop plans and strategies for French-language service delivery as part of the annual planning process.

Specific measures which will be taken to achieve these goals and objectives in 2008-2009

• Examine the level of services in French and the capacity for offering services, identify the priority areas and monitor progress.

Approved by SLT March 6, 2007
Submitted to DOH March 8, 2007
Revised July 11, 2008