New Canadian guidelines launch hosted by the provincial Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Centre of Excellence

Bathurst, April 8, 2016 – The New Brunswick Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Centre of Excellence recently hosted the launch of the new Canadian guidelines for diagnosing FASD. It was an honour that recognized the leading role of the province in this field.

The launch, which recently took place in Fredericton, was the crowning achievement of a little more than two years of work by a team of Canadian specialists, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and CanFASD Research Centre who collaborated in updating the Canadian guidelines published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2005. Dr. Nicole Leblanc, Pediatrician at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre and consulting physician at the New Brunswick FASD Centre of Excellence, was part of the team of Canadian specialists. Vitalité Health Network President and Chief Executive Officer Gilles Lanteigne saluted the expertise and pioneering work of Dr. Leblanc in the province.  “I wish to thank Dr. Leblanc for her work on the national committee and her contribution to the development of sound expertise in FASD here in New Brunswick.”

A unique and exemplary centre of excellence

The New Brunswick FASD Centre of Excellence is a provincial initiative funded by the Department of Health and managed by Vitalité Health Network. The Centre’s mission is to offer families and professionals working with people with FASD in New Brunswick, prevention, diagnostic, intervention, support, and post-clinic follow-up services in both official languages.

The FASD Centre of Excellence also provides support and intervention services to families and adults who do not meet diagnostic assessment criteria pre-established by the clinic. The Centre of Excellence team is made up of four Regional Community Coordinators based in various locations in the province and a First Nations Liaison Officer to ensure that services are available to all New Brunswick communities, including Native communities.
The FASD Centre of Excellence has five points of service located in Bathurst, Campbellton, Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John.  For more information about services provided by the Centre or to make an appointment, dial 506-862-3783.