Voluntary Indigenous Self-Identification Pilot Project launched at Northeast Cancer Centre in Sudbury

December 2, 2020
Some of the HSN staff who have been involved in implementing the Voluntary Indigenous Self-Identification Pilot Project include (from left): Reem Fattouh, Kerri Loney, Carole Courtemanche, Rose Pitawanakwat, and Emilie Fielding.Team members missing from photo include: Rebecca Patrick and Ian Peltier. – Photo supplied

SUDBURY— Health Sciences North (HSN) and the Northeast Cancer Centre (NECC) are committed to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients on their healthcare journey and ensuring that they can access all of the services available to them.

As part of this commitment, the NECC started a pilot project on Nov. 16 with a change to their registration and booking process.

Upon arrival at the NECC, all patients will now be asked if they identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit. If the patient answers yes to this question, they will then be asked the following additional questions:

  • Do you live in a First Nations Community or Reserve?
  • What First Nations Community are you associated with?
  • Is it OK if an Indigenous Patient Navigator contacts you?

If the patient is unsure and would like to know more about Indigenous Patient Navigators and the services they can offer, registration staff will provide a pamphlet with additional information.

The goal of this pilot project is to better direct First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients to the Indigenous Health Navigator and the services they can provide such as keeping track of paperwork and arranging transportation for patients from their home community to the NECC.

The pilot project is completely voluntary. Patients can choose whether they want to take part.

NECC staff are very excited about this new initiative and hope it will be implemented across HSN once the pilot phase is complete.

For more information on this new process or the services available through the Indigenous Health Navigator at the NECC, please e-mail rpitawanakwat@hsnsudbury.ca.