James Donnett is one of two Indigenous Patient Navigators at Cariboo Memorial Hospital, helping people through what can be a tough process.
Donnett began reconnecting with his own family’s Métis ancestry around 2015, and he said he has found a lot of connection, strength and healing in this process.
“I wanted my kids to experience the things I was never taught,” he said, as well as wanting to be able to participate himself in Indigenous issues.
He then found the position of Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) for the Interior Health Authority, based out of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
Donnett applied and has been working in the role since December of 2023, learning from Jacqueline Mattice, who has been in the position for three years.
Both Donnett and Mattice find helping patients and families a rewarding role.
“I love making a difference and hearing community members and family say I helped them in a little way,” said Mattice.
When asked to recall any special moments or stories over the years, Mattice mentioned one young man who she helped support. After ending up in the emergency room a number of times for substance misuse, she then read a story about him successfully completing treatment, which she had helped connect him to.
The role of the IPN at Cariboo Memorial Hospital has been around since about 2006, but the role has matured, said Heather Hair, director of Cariboo Memorial Hospital for Interior Health. Hair said many Indigenous patients, like a lot of people, rely on the emergency room as their way to access primary care and so the IPN office is embedded in the emergency room.
But their help goes beyond the ER and an IPN can help facilitate many aspects of health care and follow up for patients.
Hair called the work of the IPN a cornerstone of the system for Indigenous patients and said the program has been very successful.
The IPN partner with the Indigenous Health Authority, Healing House, Three Corners Health Services Society, and addiction treatment options and supports, as well as others.
“The goal is to support them through further treatment and follow-up,” said Donnett.
This is also two-way process, with community health centres also communicating with IPN.
The IPN can assist patients with travel to services and appointments, help with accommodation and other arrangements across Interior Health to help facilitate patients accessing services throughout the network.
Mattice has been in the role for three years and moved from Kamloops for the job with Interior Health.
“I defer to Jacquie,” said Donnett, noting he has enjoyed meeting all the people from communities, learning about Secwepemc culture, meeting knowledge keepers and elders.
Hair said the presence of an IPN with a patient can remind health care providers to think more holistically.
“It helps bring a different perspective to the treatment of the patient,” she said.
Donnett grew up in Alberta but moved to 100 Mile House in 2012 with his wife and children, and despite working at the Williams Lake Hospital, he doesn’t plan on relocating the family anytime soon.
They like the community and find it a much more affordable place for their family to be based.
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