For many of the estimated 47,000 English-speaking residents of the Laurentians, navigating Québec’s health and social services system can be overwhelming. Understanding forms, booking appointments, communicating with healthcare providers, and knowing where to turn for support can become significant challenges when language barriers are involved. To help address these challenges, 4Korners has launched its new Patient Navigator Service, a free and confidential resource designed specifically to support and accompany English-speaking individuals in accessing the health and social services they need. The service is part of the new Patient Navigation Network (PNN), a province-wide initiative coordinated by the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN) and supported by $995,000 in funding from the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise (SRQEA). Through this initiative, community organizations in twelve regions of Québec will provide personalized navigation services to help English-speaking residents overcome barriers when accessing health and social services.

“Accessing health services is challenging for anyone, and language barriers make that challenge even greater,” said Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director of CHSSN. “This is an important new resource that will help English-speaking community members overcome those barriers and get the support they need.”

Many people are not comfortable asking for services in English or don’t know where to turn when they encounter barriers.

“At 4Korners, we hear these concerns every day from community members across the Laurentians and we’ll work with Santé Québec to address the challenges,” said Hugo Bissonnet, Executive Director of 4Korners.

Leading the service locally is Kennedy Fraser, 4Korners’ Patient Navigator. Drawing on experience in clinical residential settings, schools, and community organizations, Kennedy will provide one-on-one support to residents navigating the health and social services system.

For more information about this service, call 450-974-3940, email [email protected], or see www.4korners.org.