Pathways | Indigenous Patient Navigators (IPNs)

Indigenous Patient Navigators (IPNs) - VCH

Indigenous Services

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