French-speaking health professionals sought by group for directory

A non-profit group is asking French-speaking health professionals to put themselves on a list to improve health care access for francophones in Nova Scotia.

Réseau Santé Nouvelle-Écosse, which aims to make sure the province's Acadian-francophone population has access to health services in their preferred language, says it's recently had more requests for help.

Health care professionals who do provide their name to the group will be added to a directory.

"We know there are dentists, physiotherapists and physicians, and in one way, we know of many of them," said spokeswoman Judy Aymar.

"However, we know there are many more and Réseau Santé is asked regularly if we have a good list of people."

Comfort and understanding

Since health issues are very personal, Aymar says having a French-speaking health professional can make patients feel more comfortable.

"And also understand very clearly their recommendations and what treatments might be," she said.

"To understand them clearly in our own language is important."

Aymar says the organization first wants to expand its directory of names. Then, that directory will be made public for even greater access.

"The reason it is important is to be able to have a health service in your own language increases your chances of wellness," Aymar said.