Language Access

Interpreter Services

Do you, a family member or loved one have difficulty speaking or understanding English or French? Do you need the services of an interpreter at St. Boniface Hospital? Please speak to your health care provider as soon as possible. They can make the necessary arrangements for an interpreter in your language.

The Language Access Program of the Winnipeg Health Region offers this service free of charge to patients. Trained interpreters will provide in-person interpretation in 32 languages. Over-the-phone interpreter services are also available in over 175 languages. The interpreters are accurate, confidential, and impartial.

Francophone Health

Located in the heart of Manitoba’s French speaking community, St. Boniface Hospital is a symbol of both its past and its present. Founded by four nuns from Montreal, SBH is mandated to provide health services in French in keeping with its own French Language Services Policy and that of the Government of Manitoba, and the regulations established under the legislation governing the Regional Health Authorities of Manitoba.

“To ensure that services in French are available and actively offered to patients, families and the general public within St. Boniface General Hospital (“St. Boniface”) pursuant to the laws of Manitoba and in accordance with the Government of Manitoba French Language Services Policy (“Manitoba FLS Policy”), the WRHA Official Languages Policy, and as per the recommendations of the Gauthier Report (1990) and the Chartier Report (1998).”

Many of the staff within St. Boniface Hospital are a reflection of its traditions and are able to provide some level of service to patients in French. This staff identifies itself by wearing a name tag framed in green, a green ‘hello-bonjour’ silicone bracelet or a green “bonjour’ pin.

You will see this French presence throughout the hospital where signage is in both official languages. In addition, patient education materials, discharge information and forms are provided in both languages.

Patients with limited English are invited and encouraged to identify themselves upon admission if possible or to their caregivers so that staff and physicians may make arrangements with other staff and trained interpreters as required to facilitate communication and understanding.

For more information on Francophone Health, you may contact:

Julie Lessard
Telephone: 204-235-3442
Email: click here