Indigenous Hospital Support Services

Facility-based indigenous cultural support service provides First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis and Inuit peoples and their families with: help feeling comfortable in the hospital, making referrals, support for discharge from the hospital, and talking to healthcare providers about Indigenous culture (e.g. smudging, Elder services). Ask your healthcare provider for more information about Alberta Health Services policy to allow spiritual ceremonies.

This program provides support and health information to healthcare providers, Indigenous patients / clients and their families through personal visits. Specifically, this includes:

• case management
• patient advocacy
• cultural teaching
• patient/client language interpretation
• health literacy support
• logistical support for discharge planning for Indigenous people

This service is available on site in hospitals, public health centres and in the community. Upon request, staff can be present at hospital rounds, medical appointments and case conferences. This program will communicate with the healthcare team to ensure provision of culturally sensitive healthcare service.

Patient / client language interpretation service is also available upon request.

Patients and clients may also be asked about their healthcare experience to help ensure they receive the best possible healthcare.