The principal hospital of New Brunswick’s francophone health network, it was established in 1922. It was then called the Hôtel-Dieu de l’Assomption. Since 1967, it has been named after doctor Georges Dumont, former provincial health minister.
On Friday and Saturday, healthcare professionals and researchers gathered to look back at the delivery of French-language healthcare in New Brunswick, but more importantly to take stock of the challenges ahead.
Services in French still difficult to access
Professor Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, Director of the Center for the Study of Aging at the Université de Moncton, points to the lack of existing aging services.
When such services exist, she adds, they’re often only offered in one language.
The elders told us that it was very difficult to get these services in French
says the researcher.
Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard blames the insufficiency – and sometimes lack – of bilingual human resources to meet demand in French.
workers to be recruited
rock ignitionPresident of New Brunswick Community College (CCNB), notes that steps are being taken to hire more workers, but the fruits of their efforts will not be seen overnight.
He wishes there would be better and faster recognition of the expertise of healthcare professionals migrating to Canada.
It’s really frustrating to see highly skilled people driving cabs or doing jobs that don’t add as much to society as if they were in the job they were trained for
he says.
The DD Chantal Arsenault, Co-Chair of 100th Anniversary Activities University hospital Dumont admires the accomplishments she’s accumulated over the years, but is aware of the challenges that she says extend beyond New Brunswick’s borders.
It is important to be able to develop a culture of job security, a sense of obligation, among healthcare workers. This is how we can support our health system
She says.
Activities to mark the 100th anniversary of French healthcare in Moncton started last October. Throughout the year, activities are organized in the hospital and in the community.
According to Babatundé Lawani’s report
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