Services to people from ethnocultural communities

People from ethnocultural communities can access health and social services in a manner that respects their ethnocultural and linguistic reality.

Different measures are in place to ensure and improve the delivery and accessibility of services offered to these people.

Language interpretation services allow people who are not fluent enough in the French language to understand healthcare professionals and be understood by them. Interpreters thus improve and facilitate communication.

Providing interpretation services is one way to respect the rights and obligations set out in the Act respecting the governance of the health and social services system. It ensures that quality services are provided safely.

Santé Québec is responsible for informing the users that they have access to free and confidential interpretation services. It must also explain the benefits, type, and terms of these services to them.

Institutions and facilities listed below offer health and social services in French, but also in other languages:

• Montreal Chinese Hospital (Chinese or other Southeast Asian language)
• Santa Cabrini Hospital (Italian)
• CHSLD Dante (Italian)
• CHSLD Polonais Marie-Curie Sklodowska (Polish or other Slavic language)

Refugees and individuals in similar situations can receive a physical health and well-being assessment up to six months after arriving in Québec. The purpose of this assessment is to analyze their priority psychosocial and physical needs. It is offered on a voluntary basis. It allows these individuals to be directed to the most appropriate resources based on their identified needs, while helping them become familiar with Quebec's health and social services system. The teams that carry out the physical health and well-being assessment are located in 14 cities across Québec within 11 integrated health and social services centers (CISSS) or integrated university health and social services centers (CIUSSS), namely:

• Brossard (CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre)
• Drummondville (CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec)
• Gatineau (CISSS de l’Outaouais)
• Granby (CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHU de Sherbrooke)
• Joliette (CISSS de Lanaudière)
• Laval (CISSS de Laval)
• Montréal (CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal)
• Québec (CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale)
• Rimouski (CIUSSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent)
• Saint-Hyacinthe (CISSS de la Montérégie-Est)
• Saint-Jérôme (CISSS des Laurentides)
• Sherbrooke (CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHU de Sherbrooke)
• Trois-Rivières (CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec)
• (CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec)

In addition, the Regional Program for the Settlement and Integration of Asylum Seekers (PRAIDA) helps asylum seekers settle and integrate in Québec. It contributes to their wellbeing with respect for their rights and dignity.

The Comité national sur la prestation des services de santé et des services sociaux aux personnes issues des communautés ethnoculturelles advises the Minister of Health on the accessibility and provision of health and social services offered to individuals from ethnocultural communities. National committee members may, in particular, hold consultations, solicit opinions, and receive and hear requests from individuals, organizations or associations.