Northern Health is reminding patients of a service which helps bridge the gap between holistic and western medicine.
Aboriginal Patient Liaisons are available at ten communities within Northern Health’s jurisdiction, thanks to partnerships with local agencies.
Among those communities are Terrace, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Quesnel, and more.
According to Lloyd McDames, who fills the role at Mills Memorial in Terrace, no two days are ever the same for an APL.
McDames says he fills the roles of a cultural awareness educator, outreach worker, social worker, mediator, and many others on a daily basis.
Northern Health says APL’s like Lloyd are intended to help patients understand the health care process, arrange for translation, coordinate cultural advisors, assist in health care planning, and much more.
You can find information on the closest APL to your community by visiting this link.
