THUNDER BAY – HEALTH – For many people living in First Nation communities across Northwestern Ontario, coming to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) for medical treatment is their first trip to Thunder Bay. Adjusting to the big city away from friends and family can be difficult, especially for those who cannot speak English.
The Aboriginal Patient Navigator Service provides a number of services for Aboriginal patients, including:
- Interpretive services in Cree, Ojibway, and Oji-Cree
- Support before, during, and after clinical appointments
- Linking patients and families to community resources
- Tele-visitation services with remote family members
- Information and education in a culturally-sensitive manner
- Liaison and advocate between the care team, patients, and families
- Assistance with discharge planning
Currently, there are five dedicated and caring Aboriginal Patient Navigators working at TBRHSC in Renal Services, Cancer Care, Diabetes Care and the Emergency Department. To find out more about this service, please visit www.tbrhsc.net/home/aboriginal-health-services/ .
