ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITES

In November 2017, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care stated that, with the passage of the Patients First Act, Ontario will be placing emphasis on serving Francophones who face challenges in obtaining health services in French. This desire is reflected through a commitment from all health system stakeholders towards French Language services.

Guide to Requirements and Obligations Relating to FLHS

The Guide to Requirements and Obligations Relation to French Language Health Services (Guide to FLHS) was published in November 2017 by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. It is intended to help strengthen health system accountability and performance in support of access to linguistically and culturally appropriate services for Ontario’s Francophone communities. It outlines and clarifies expectations for the respective roles, responsibilities, and accountability of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Local Health Integration Networks, French Language Health Planning Entities, and Health Service Providers, as reflected in current legislation and accountability instruments. The Guide to FLHS is also intended to inform the Boards and executive leadership teams of these organizations with regards to their FLHS obligations. Each organization is expected to fulfill and adhere to the requirements and obligations that apply to them.

Guide to FLHS English Version French Version

Questions and Answers English Version French Version

FLHS Reporting

One of the ministry's responsibilities is fostering the collection of French Language Health Services (FLHS) data to inform planning and design of healthcare services for the Francophone community.

In order for the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) to better understand the needs of their local Francophone communities and successfully plan for the delivery of FLHS, the ministry is sponsoring a FLHS data collection platform, called OZi. This project is led by le Réseau des Services de Santé en français de I'Est de l'Ontario and has been deployed across the 14 Ontario LHINs.

Health service providers have to submit a FLHS report by April 30 of each year as per their Accountability Agreement through OZi web platform.

If you need support in filling out your FLHS report please contact us at info@entite4.ca .

Roles and Responsibilities of Designated Health Service Providers

If the health service provider (HSP) is designated according to O. Reg. 398/93 under the French Language Services Act (FLSA), it will provide health services to the public in French in accordance with the provisions of the FLSA. Responsibilities on French language services (FLS) include:

Continue to provide health services to the public in French in accordance with the provisions of the FLSA and work towards maintaining FLS capacity.
Liaise with the local health integration networks (LHINs) and Entities and follow the FLS designation process in a consistent and effective manner and in accordance with the Office of Francophone Affairs criteria.
Apply the principles of Active Offer in the provision of services;
Engage the community of diverse persons including the Francophone community in the area where it provides health services when setting priorities for the delivery of health services and when developing plans for submission to the LHIN
Submit a French language implementation report to the LHIN;
Collect and submit French language services data to the LHIN as requested by the LHIN.

Source: Guide to Requirements and Obligations Relation to French Language Health Services

Roles and Responsibilities of Identified Health Service Providers

If the health service provider (HSP) is Identified it will provide services to the public in French in accordance with its existing French language services (FLS) capacity. Responsibilities on FLS include:

Develop and implement an FLS plan; provide health services to the public in French in accordance with existing FLS capacity; and work towards improving FLS capacity for designation within the time frame agreed to by the HSP and the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN);
Liaise with the LHINs and Entities when seeking designation and follow the FLS designation process in a consistent and effective manner and in accordance with the Office of Francophone Affairs criteria.
Work towards applying the principles of Active Offer in the provision of services;
Engage the community of diverse persons including the Francophone community in the area where it provides health services when setting priorities for the delivery of health services and when developing plans for submission to the LHIN
Provide a report to the LHIN that outlines progress in its capacity to provide services in French and toward becoming Designated;
Collect and submit French language services data to the LHIN as requested by the LHIN.

Source : Guide to Requirements and Obligations Relation to French Language Health Services

Roles and Responsibilities of Non Designated Nor Identified Health Service Providers

If the health service provider (HSP) has not been Designated nor Identified it will develop mechanisms to address the needs of its local Francophone community including the provision of information on local health services that are available in French. Responsibilities on French language services (FLS) include:

Develop and implement a plan to address the needs of the local Francophone community, including the provision of information on services available in French;
Work towards applying the principles of Active Offer in the provision of services;
Engage the community of diverse persons including the Francophone community in the area where it provides health services when setting priorities for the delivery of health services and when developing plans for submission to the LHIN;
Provide a report to the LHIN that outlines how the HSP addresses the needs of its local Francophone community; and,
Collect and submit French language services data to the LHIN as requested by the LHIN.

Source : Guide to Requirements and Obligations Relation to French Language Health Services

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