Exercising Your Right to Access Health and Social Services in English

The right to receive certain services in English is recognized and governed by:

The Act respecting health services and social services (LSSSS), which requires health institutions to develop Access Programs for English-speaking persons;
And the Ministerial Directive on the provision of services in a language other than French (no. 24-406-01W, September 2024), which outlines when and how these services may be offered.

If an Access Program is in place at the institution you are visiting, you or your representative can request to receive services in English.
This right includes access to clinical information, care instructions, consent documents, and key services in English, as identified in the institution’s Access Program.
However, the provision of these services is subject to available human, material, and financial resources, as outlined in Section 15 of the LSSSS.

Ask directly when registering or during your appointment;
Be supported by a staff member who identifies a language barrier and facilitates the request;
Use a professional interpreter (on-site or remote), when direct service in English is not available;
Receive translated documents, when available or necessary to ensure safety and understanding.

Within the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, Jeffery Hale – Saint Brigid’s (JHSB) is the only institution officially designated as bilingual by government decree. It is required to provide all its services in both English and French.
Other facilities within the CIUSSS are not designated bilingual, but may offer specific services in English, as outlined in their regional Access Program.

Users’ and residents’ committees can help you:

Search