WELLINGTON, PEI, September 11, 2019 – The PEI French Health Network (PEIFHN) announces the return of the Café de Paris training program, a collaboration between the Collège de l’Île and the Public Service Commission for employees of the provincial public service, particularly health care professionals. The program is based in five health care facilities: three hospitals and two public long-term care homes, and has started again during the week of September 9.

 

The partners have been collaborating for over a year to offer this unique learning opportunity to professionals looking to hone their French language skills. The ultimate goal is to grow the offer of French-language services.  For this reason, the project also extends its reach to include a number of employees of the Public Service Commission in locations within Charlottetown and Summerside.

 

“We are very pleased to have such a strong partnership with the Collège de l’Île and the provincial government. This innovative project has already proven its worth for New Brunswick’s two health authorities. Here, it allows the partners to pursue shared goals,” said Élise Arsenault, Director of the PEIFHN. “By adapting to each participant’s needs, the project offers a more accessible and flexible way to learn French.
In 2018-19, we were able to reach 67 health care professionals. We trust that they will be better equipped to actively offer French-language services. Over the next two years, we’ll keep working in the hope of seeing real change for the active offer of French-language services in our health care system.”

 

Participants are offered tailored experiences that allow them to find the right medical terms, practice their vocabulary and apply their French language skills regularly. “I decided to participate in the Café de Paris to learn more French and practice it regularly. The lessons are very useful and always interesting. I like them a lot,” shared a past participant. Professionals from any Island health care facility or private practice who wish to take part in the initiative can contact the PEIFHN. Spaces are limited.

 

For more information, please contact Karine Gallant at 902-854-7444 or info@santeipe.ca.

 

The PEI French Health Network is a non-profit organization that collaborates with various partners in order to improve access to quality French-language health services and programs for Prince Edward Island’s Acadian and Francophone population. The organization brings together representatives from target community groups, educational facilities, health professionals, health service managers and the provincial government. It is also one of the 16 networks that make up the Société Santé en français and Healthbound 2018-2013: Towards Access. The PEI French Health Network is funded by Health Canada within the framework of the Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages 2018–2023.

 

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Media contact   

Karine Gallant

Telephone: 902-854-7444

E-mail: karinegallant@gov.pe.ca