The French-Language Health Movement

1. The French-LanguageHealth Movement A national movement dedicated to improving access to health and wellness services in French Présenté par Gilles Vienneau ssmefnb@nb.aibn.com Paul d’Entremont reseau@reseausanteNE.ca Halifax, Nova Scotia Tuesday, June 3, 2008

2. Outline of presentation • The French-language health movement: • Who are we? • Health services in French: Why? • Summary of achievements • Future issues • Questions 2 of 12

3. The French-LanguageHealth Movement • A national movement to improve health and wellness of Acadians and francophones living in a minority situation in Canada • 17 French-language health networks covering all provinces and territories • Five strategic levers for better access to health and wellness services in French • Networking • Organization of services • Training • Research • Technology 3 of 12

4. The French-LanguageHealth Movement 4 of 12

5. Who are we? 5 of 12

6. Health in French: Why? • Based on studies… French-language health and wellness services in Canada are 3 to 7 times less accessible to francophones in a minority community. • The French-speaking population places great importance on the availability of health services in French. • Availability of access increases use of services • Perception: difficult to obtain services in French • Key factor: availability of French-speaking professionals • Accessibility to health and wellness services in French is a matter of quality and safety. 6 of 12

7. Summary of achievements The Networking initiative contributed to: • Establishing productive and sustainable relationships • Better needs assessment and effective planning of services required • Using new and new adapted solutions • Ultimately, more accessible and better quality health services 7 of 12

8. Summary of achievements • The Organization of services initiative contributed to: • Better coordination of health services in French • Creation of new points of service in primary care at various types of sites • Better remote access to care and services through new tele-health technology • Increased activities in health promotion and disease prevention • Increased support for French-speaking professionals • Better databases of resources 8 of 12

9. Summary of achievements Almost 100 health projects and initiatives since 2004 ($22M) • Supported by provincial, territorial and regional health authorities throughout Canada • Setting the Stage (STS) - Préparer le terrain (PLT)(2004-2006): planning for health services in each province and territory to determine needs and the best way to meet them 9 of 12

10. Summary of achievements Major categories of achievements • Information to the public and health care professionals – directories and guides, etc. • Service planning and coordination • Remote access through technology • Mobilization of and support for health care professionals • Assistance in navigating the healthcare system • Programs and activities in health promotion and disease prevention • Delivery of integrated services and specific programs (mental health, cardiology, oncology, chronic diseases, etc.) • Creation of basic and specialized French-language service points 10 of 12

11. Future issues • Health promotion and prevention and interdisciplinary/intersectorial approach • Primary health care and community mobilization for joint action • Continuum of integrated services (e.g. mental health, chronic diseases, the elderly,…) • Human resources and resources serving the community • Health technology 11 of 12

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