The Geraldton District Hospital in northwestern Ontario has partnered with the Matawa Health Co-operative to introduce the facility’s first-ever Indigenous care co-ordinator (ICC).
The hospital serves about 5,700 residents from the Municipality of Greenstone and surrounding First Nations.
About 36 per cent of the hospital’s patients identify as Indigenous, “making it essential that our services are responsive, culturally safe and reflective of the communities we support,” said chief nursing executive Kelsey Cleaveley.
The new role aims to support Indigenous patients and their families by promoting culturally safe, respectful and co-ordinated care.
“Accessing health care can be challenging for many individuals, and some Indigenous patients may experience additional barriers related to past experiences, cultural difference, system navigation,” Cleaveley said.
“The Indigenous care co-ordinator serves as an advocate, navigator, a trust point when coming to health care.”