Aboriginal Patient Liaison Program (APLP)

1. Aboriginal Patient Liaison Program(APLP) Carrier Sekani Family Services

2. Introduction • Aboriginal Patient Liaison Program in partnership with Northern Health Authority was created to promote a positive healing environment for all First Nation people at University Hospital of Northern British Columbia ( UHNBC). This program originally began in 1986 by Carrier Sekani Tribal Council. In 1990 this program was transferred to Carrier Sekani Family Services.

3. Program Goals • The Aboriginal Patient Liaison Worker (APLW) works with all NHA interdisciplinary health staff more specifically with Social Work Department, as being part of the interdisciplinary team. The APLP compliments and enhances existing relationships, services, linkages throughout UHNBC. • Increase cultural competency and responsiveness of health Authority staff to First Nations clients’ health care needs and to support the inclusion of First Nations’ perspectives and lived experiences within the organization. • Throughout the year actively work with our partners to address outstanding jurisdictional issues, Aboriginal Health services delivery silos and overcome other long standing barriers to health care delivery, such as geographic location and isolation. • Increase awareness and understanding of cultural factors impacting the health of First Nations. Act as a bridge/link between the patient and community health care service providers. Support in coordinating patient care in acute care and community settings. At all times we approach where inequalities and needs are identified and addressed

4. Goals • Facilitates networking between Aboriginal Service Providers and UHNBC Health Care Providers, through identifying gaps in services and promotes communication between patient and the health care team/services. • Offer telephone consultation to rural/or urban health care providers. Most importantly we assist the patient understand hospital processes and culture and help health care providers by addressing cultural needs of First Nations patient. • Provide input, recommendations, referrals, support and guidance for discharge planning. • Ongoing advocate and appeal for increased FNHA services in extenuating circumstances. • We ensure we liaise with on-reserve Home and Community Care when patients are discharged with acute care needs.

5. Recommendations • Improvement and better coordination of mental health and addictions services for First Nations clients and Communities. APLP is usually not informed most of the time if UHNBC has Psych Assessment on suicide attempts is one example,. • Communities and FNHA to provide more education on access to NIHB assistance prior to accessing hospital care. Assisting patient’s escorts’ travel and accommodation is taxing time spent which should be time spent with patients. APL and Social Workers usually provide practical support to and act as a communication link between hospital and patients family. The health care staff and APL deal with family members who are often very stressed and have no place to stay. This fuels many unpleasant situations. • Improvement and development of Home Care services for Urban First Nations Elders Care throughout the Region that is culturally appropriate. • Seamless Discharge Planning of Aboriginal Patients.