The Indigenous Patient Navigator Program (IPN) is a partnership between Eastern Health and First Light – St. John’s Friendship Centre. It began in 2009 to provide support and assistance or Indigenous patients and their families who travel to St. John’s for medical appointments. The IPN’s serve to bridge the gap between Indigenous patients and their respective health care professionals.
Services the IPNs may provide are:
- Providing referral and/or advocacy to Indigenous patients to ensure access to the most appropriate health care options
- Navigation to and escorting patients to appointments
- Arranging translation services in Innu-Aimun and Inuktitut, if needed/requested
- Assisting patients to access meals, transportation, accommodations, medical supplies and discharge planning