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Special Projects
Aunties in Action
The Aboriginal Health Program has a program called “Aunties in Action.” The goal of the program is to improve the quality of hospital experiences of Aboriginal patients and their families. Through the support of our First Nations Patient Advocate, our Aboriginal Health Program successfully lobbied for a unique Aboriginal volunteer service. Their work has shown that many First Nations people feel lost as patients within a hospital setting. Some patients and families have described the hospital experience as confusing, stating that they feel “dismissed or not listened to.”
We train our Aboriginal hospital volunteers on site. Each centre involved in the program identifies and recruits one Aboriginal volunteer to train other Aboriginal volunteers. These volunteers take part in a "train the trainer" program at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre. Once they take the training, they help other volunteers in their communities to run the program.
The volunteers visit Aboriginal patients and their families when they are in hospital. They help make the health care system more welcoming and friendly for Aboriginal people. The partners for the project include Tillicum Haus Native Friendship Centre in Nanaimo and Carrier Sekani Family Services in Prince George.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or would like more information about Aunties in Action, please call the First Nations Patient Advocate of BC Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, and BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre at (604) 875-3440.
Aboriginal Patients’ Lodge
In partnership with Lu’ma Native Housing Society, this unique integrated housing facility has permanent residents and patients families who must remain in the GVRD to access health care services. See the Aboriginal Patients Lodge (PDF)
Aboriginal Women’s Health Fellowship
The Aboriginal Women’s Health Fellowship was established to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal women by educating and training health care providers about Aboriginal women’s wellness. This two day training has been provided to CHRs, both in the northern B.C. and Vancouver Island. See the Aboriginal Women's Health Fellowship (PDF)
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