Métis Health and Wellness

What to Expect

Provide support to Metis/Indigenous adults in the Central Okanagan in accessing timely services by Interior Health.  Identify and remove barriers to treatment while addressing cultural and spiritual needs of the Metis/Indigenous patients/clients. 

Support largely happens within the patient/clients’ home, or the community &/or health care facilities in the Central Okanagan area. 

MCSS, as one of the partners will work toward the following objectives:

• Provide culturally appropriate direct patient/client care that will improve the health and well-being of indigenous people residing in the Central Okanagan; and
• Decrease the health status gap within the Indigenous populations in Central Okanagan.

Opportunities include

The Health and Wellness Coordinator may provide the following:

• Transportation to &/or from a medical appointment.
• Accompany, &/or lend support to patient/client in the clinic/hospital or other healthcare services.
• Advocate for the best care possible.
• Support patients/clients through triage admissions process at the hospital.
• Support in managing communication and collaboration between patients and staff of health care programs, this includes promoting/supporting staff cultural competency and providing a voice for marginalized patients.
• Increase the involvement of primary care for the chronically ill with Interior Health.
• Assist/support Metis/Indigenous patients to better understand hospital services, establish better communication protocols & help/support patients in creating a personal health care plan that will help patient avoid future use of the Emergency dept.
• Provide support and follow-up with discharge planning to ensure that supports are in place.
• Assist/support patients in connecting to pharmacare, blue cross and other financial entities that are in place for low-income patients/clients.
• Provide &/or support workshops/educational opportunities about health prevention of illness through a traditional lens.
• Provide appropriate referrals and resources for patients/clients in their wellness plan.