Minister announces funding for French-Language Health Network

Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services, together with Ali Chaisson, Executive Director of the F�d�ration des Francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador, today announced the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will commit $20,000 to support the establishment of a French-Language Health Network for the province. The purpose of the network is to serve as a forum for cooperation to develop French health care services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Communicating plays an important part in the delivery of health services. Research has shown that language barriers can affect the quality of services where good communication is critical, such as primary health care services, and reduce the probability of a patient�s compliance with treatment. This limits the effectiveness of the programs and services we provide," said Minister Smith. "The French-Language Health Network will provide us with an avenue by which we can work to overcome language barriers with our French population and work to improve the delivery of health services by adding a bilingual component to the system."

"One of the purposes of the French-Language Health Network is to establish links with provincial/territorial planning and service authorities, such as government, in order to ensure a coordinated approach to improving French-language health care services," said Mr. Chaisson. "We see this funding as more than a financial contribution. It is a symbol of the provincial government�s commitment to working with the francophone community to improve health services. We are very pleased to have government�s support as we work to establish the French-Language Health Network."

Mr. Chaisson says the French-Language Health Network is not intended to be a health care delivery organization. The network will bring together community partners with provincial and federal government representatives, educational institutions and health care professionals who will work to identify projects that will improve health services for the French population.

"Partnering is a key component of Healthier Together, our province�s strategic health plan. The plan was built on the belief that by working together within government and within our communities we will ensure that all residents of this province have access to the health services they need. The network is an excellent example of the value of working together. Government is pleased to be a partner in this project," said Minister Smith.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377

2003 09 17                                       10:15 a.m.