Patient Navigators

Navigating health care can be difficult. A patient navigator is a person who can help you access health care services and supports, regardless of where you live in PEI or where you are on your health care journey. 

Anyone can access the patient navigator with a question or a concern about how to navigate Health PEI services, including health services that are not offered in PEI and require out-of-province travel.    

Using a Health PEI patient navigator can improve the experience for patients and their families. 

How patient navigators work

The role of the patient navigator is to ensure you connect with the right resources and information to help you. The navigator can help guide you through the health care system to ensure you access the most appropriate service(s) for your health care needs.   

The patient navigator works directly with patients, their family and caregivers, health care providers and other individuals or organizations that provide patient services and supports in PEI.

They can

• work with health care providers and programs who can support you;
• help you find and access community resources;
• help coordinate health care services you require; and
• answer questions you have about the health care system.

The patient navigator can not offer treatment suggestions or adjust wait times for procedures or the Patient Registry.

Connect with a patient navigator

The provincial patient navigator

• Telephone:  (902) 620-3418 | 1-844-882-3141 (toll-free)
• Fax:  (902) 368-6136
• Email:  patientnavigator@gov.pe.ca
• Mail: PO Box 2000, Charlottetown, PE   C1A 7N8

The cancer patient navigator

• The cancer patient navigator web page
• Telephone: 902-894-2552 or 1-877-511-5177 (toll-free)
• Email: cancerpatientnavigator@ihis.org

The Stroke patient navigator

• The Stroke Program web page
• Telephone: 1-844-871-0634 (toll-free) 
• Email: strokenavigator@ihis.org

The Mental Health and Addictions patient navigator

• The mental health and addictions web page
• Telephone: 902-218-3289
• Email: MHApatientnavigator@ihis.org  

The Mi’kmaq Health Systems Navigators

The Mi’kmaq Health Systems Navigators: 

• build relationships of trust with Mi’kmaq clients and families and guide them through the health system
• attend appointments, ensuring early identification of client emotional, social, and spiritual needs and seeking Western and/or traditional resources and supports
• coordinate care and assist with care transitions by serving as liaison between Mi’kmaq clients, their treatment team, and Western and traditional health and wellness system supports
• educate clients and family members on disease, treatment options, and follow-up care requirements
• facilitate communication and cultural understanding with Mi’kmaq clients, families, and care providers
• advocate for improvements in PEI health systems based on identified gaps facing Mi’kmaq clients and families.
• support Mi’kmaq clients by liaising with the Non-Insured Health Benefits program which provides eligible First Nations and Inuit clients with coverage for a range of health benefits that are not covered through other social programs, private insurance plans or provincial or territorial health insurance.

Mi’kmaq Health Systems Navigator (West)
Shelby Arsenault, R.N., BScN

• Telephone: 902-831-2711
• Email: shelby.arsenault@lennoxisland.com 

Mi’kmaq Health Systems Navigator (East)
Crissy Riley, LPN

• Telephone: 902-676-3007
• Email: criley@abegweithealth.ca

Mi’kmaq community health systems navigators are employed by their respective communities and are available to all those seeking Indigenous navigation support while accessing the various Health PEI services.