Indigenous Patient Navigators (IPNs) - VCH

Provided by Vancouver Coastal Health

Indigenous Patient Navigators support patients, families and staff while respecting local traditions, protocols, and practices to ensure culturally safe health care services.
Indigenous Patient Navigators provide direct patient and family support, including access to Elders, traditional ceremonies, and traditional healing practices, as well as support and education to health-care team members caring for Indigenous patients. The services provided by IPNs include:

  • Consultation with health care staff on health care planning for patients;
  • Resource/contact information on Indigenous-specific resources and referrals for health-care teams;
  • Coaching and consultation on Indigenous patient care;
  • Traditional cultural support – smudging, traditional medicines;
  • Talk with patients and family on health-care needs; and
  • Indigenous Cultural Safety education
  • 604-314-8069 (VGH, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and George Pearson Centre)

    Public email: info.indigenoushealth@vch.ca

    Website: https://www.vch.ca/en/service...

    Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 8:00AM to 8:00PM. Weekends and holidays 8:00AM to 5:00PM.

    604-789-7256 (Lions Gate Hospital)

    Public email: info.indigenoushealth@vch.ca

    604-786-1736 (Bella Bella)

    Public email: cynthia.peal@vch.ca

    Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:00AM to 4:00PM.

    604-414-4128 (qathet)

    Public email: jessica.hackett@vch.ca

    Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:00AM to 4:00PM.

    604-740-7870 (Sechelt)

    Public email: Jason.Peers@vch.ca

    Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:00AM to 4:00PM.

    (236) 589-4717 (Bella Coola)

    Public email: norma.mack@vch.ca

    Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:30AM to 4:30PM.

    Cost: No cost

    Referral options:

    • Self-referral
    • Health professional referral
    • First Nation agency referral
    Associated Programs/Services

    Also offered by Vancouver Coastal Health:

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    Availability

    Service area: Vancouver Coastal Health Area

    Service Types Provided
    Ways to Access
    • Provided 1:1 in-person

    The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

    Pathways does not provide medical advice. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1. If you require assistance navigating services please call 8-1-1.

    For general inquiries or for assistance, please email us:

    community-services@pathwaysbc.ca

    If you are requesting clinical access to medical Pathways, please provide the following information via the email above:

    1. First Name
    2. Last Name
    3. Email
    4. In which city/town do you work?
    5. What is your role? E.g. Family Physician, Office Staff, Medical Resident
    6. Employer Name (for office staff)
    7. Office Phone

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