By Alexandra Mehl, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter HA-SHILTH-SA
Amanda Watts of Tseshaht and Deb Melvin of the Metlakatla First Nation have a varied day-to-day schedule at the West Coast General Hospital, but it香蕉视频直播檚 always centered on ensuring their Indigenous patients feel safe and get the care they need.
As an Indigenous patient navigator (IPN) Melvin is busy answering phone calls from her patients, nurses and doctors, organizing and advocating for their care, planning for their discharge or transportation, all while supporting not only the patient, but their family, as they navigate the health care system.
Though Melvin is a new employee of Island Health, she香蕉视频直播檚 been working in her position at WCGH, employed by Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, for five years.
Watts, who is an Indigenous liaison nurse (ILN), supports patients in the Emergency Room, ensuring those coming to WCGH have what they need. She sits with them, listens to them, and builds connections, sometimes becoming a point of communication between the patient and the doctor. Given notice, she香蕉视频直播檒l even meet her patients as they enter the facility.
The team of two are there to walk beside their patients on their journey through the healthcare system, advocating for and helping empower them.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 important for people to know that we香蕉视频直播檙e here,香蕉视频直播� said Watts, who began the new IPN position in February. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 very passionate about supporting my people.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 here, I香蕉视频直播檓 working here, but I香蕉视频直播檓 here for you,香蕉视频直播� she noted.
Given Canada香蕉视频直播檚 colonial history of residential schools and segregated Indian hospitals, there are many gaps for First Nations in the health care system.
香蕉视频直播淲e have to understand the legacy of the Indian hospital in this province,香蕉视频直播� reads a quote from an unidentified health care provider in the In-Plain-Sight survey, a provincial review of Indigenous racism in the healthcare system. 香蕉视频直播淪till to this day, I have people in communities who tell me they do not want to go to the hospital for care because that is where their grandparents died under atrocious conditions.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚f hospital administrators don香蕉视频直播檛 understand that, how can we provide care? If they just say, `Oh, they香蕉视频直播檙e non-compliant. They don香蕉视频直播檛 show up for appointments.香蕉视频直播� Well, yeah. Do you know why?香蕉视频直播� the health care provider continued.
For those patients who have been affected by residential school and its intergenerational trauma, it may be lonely, scary, or raise feelings of anxiety going into a hospital setting, shared Melvin.
香蕉视频直播淎 lot of people don香蕉视频直播檛 come to the hospital willingly, or香蕉视频直播� a lot of them have had previous bad experiences here and don香蕉视频直播檛 want to return,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淪o it香蕉视频直播檚 great to be able to support people through their visits, and make it a more comfortable and safe experience.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淭he doctors and nurses can be seen as in control, and that does make the patient feel a loss of control or no power in the interactions,香蕉视频直播� continued Melvin. 香蕉视频直播淎nd unfortunately, some of them have not been respected or treated well in the past, and don香蕉视频直播檛 want to come back.香蕉视频直播�
According to the In-Plain-Sight survey, just 27 per cent of Indigenous respondents felt their needs were taken care of when accessing health care, compared to 59 per cent of non-Indigenous patients.
Fifty-eight per cent of non-Indigenous respondents received the medication they asked for, compared to that of 35 per cent of Indigenous respondents.
香蕉视频直播淭he Indigenous population has, unfortunately, had poor healthcare outcomes for so long,香蕉视频直播� said Melvin. 香蕉视频直播淲e want to change that, it香蕉视频直播檚 not right.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淲e want to be there for people to support them, to want to reach out, to want to try and come to the hospital, to not, maybe, delay as long as some people do,香蕉视频直播� Melvin noted.
Watts reflects on phone calls she received where a local service provider was bringing an apprehensive patient to the hospital. When they arrived at WCGH, Watts greeted them and sat with them at triage, offering whatever the patient may need.
She shared another instance where a young patient was upset and crying. Watts brought toys to cheer the child up. From then on, each time the patient saw Watts, the patient proudly showed off the toys, playing with them through the entire stay.
香蕉视频直播淚f we can do anything to make someone香蕉视频直播檚 experience one per cent better, then that is excellent,香蕉视频直播� said Jess McConnell, manager of Indigenous Health at WCGH.
香蕉视频直播淲e want to relieve their anxiety, to support them, make them feel safe, make them feel welcome, and cared for and respected,香蕉视频直播� said Melvin.
IPN and ILN can be accessed at nearly every hospital on Vancouver Island, McConnell noted.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e here for you,香蕉视频直播� said Melvin. 香蕉视频直播淐ontact us.香蕉视频直播�
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