Aboriginal Patient Liaison Program

Assisting Indigenous Peoples and their families to access high quality, culturally safe health care services

Aboriginal Patient Liaisons (APLs) are an important part of the health care team. Ten APLs are available across the North to assist Indigenous Peoples and their families to access high quality, culturally safe health care services.

Indigenous Health supports this program by:

  • Providing training opportunities and mentoring; 

  • Supporting a community of practice; 

  • Developing communications materials; and

  • Collaborative planning, program development and evaluation.

How can I connect with an APL?

Speak with a health care provider for a referral to the Aboriginal Patient Liaison program or contact your local APL directly:

Burns Lake

Lakes District Hospital

Vacant
Phone: 250-692-2474

Chetwynd

Chetwynd General Hospital

Vacant

Dawson Creek

Dawson Creek and District Hospital 

Margaret McGillis
Email: Margaret.McGillis@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-795-6190

Aboriginal Patient Liaison - Dawson Creek and area (PDF)

Hazelton

Wrinch Memorial Hospital

Angie Combs
Email: Angie.Combs@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-842-4407

Aboriginal Patient Liaison - Hazelton and area (PDF)

North Peace

Fort St. John Hospital

Vacant
Phone: 250-261-7418

 

Prince George

University Hospital of Northern BC

Vacant

In the interim please contact the UHNBC switchboard on 250-565-2000 and ask to be connected to the appropriate ward, and they can reach the social worker.

Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert Regional Hospital

Vacant
Phone: 250-622-6520

Quesnel

GR Baker Memorial Hospital

Lyndsey Rhea
Email: Lyndsey.Rhea@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-985-5812

Aboriginal Patient Liaison - Quesnel and area [PDF]

Smithers

Bulkley Valley District Hospital

Lisa McKinnon
Email: Lisa.Mckinnon@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-643-7347

Aboriginal Patient Liaison - Smithers and area [PDF]

 

Terrace and Kitimat

What can an APL assist me with?

  • Arrange for translation services

  • Help patients understand health care processes, procedures and terminology

  • Help to ensure admission and discharge planning goes according to patient needs

  • Advanced Health Care Planning

  • Facilitate communication and cultural understanding between patient and care providers

  • Connect patient to end of life support

  • Coordinate spiritual / cultural advisors

  • Support and comfort family and friends

  • Referrals within Northern Health and to community agencies

  • Help link patients to non-insured health benefits

  • Transition to and within long-term care

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