New roles created to help patients navigate the health care system

Health PEI is creating a new Patient Navigator position and patient and family advisor opportunities to make it easier for patients to access services and move through the health care system.  
 
“Improving the patient experience is one of our key priorities, along with access to services and patient safety,” said Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson. “I am pleased to see Health PEI moving forward with these initiatives to improve patient-centered care.”
 
The patient navigator will act as a liaison between patients and health care providers, guiding patients through the health care system and connecting them with the right professionals. The navigator will make patients and families aware of valuable resources and help them to access them. He or she will work directly with patients, health care providers and other individuals or organizations that provide patient services and support s. 
 
“A patient and family can be easily overwhelmed by the health care system, especially when they are ill and needing to access care,” said Marion Dowling, Chief of Nursing, Allied Health and Patient Experience. “Patient navigators are commonly used by facilities across the country to improve access to services and coordination of care. Our new Health Patient Navigator will work with patients to overcome challenges they are facing and improve the patient experience.”
 
Health PEI has other patient navigators in place, including a cancer patient navigator and stroke patient navigator. Islanders will be able to access the new Health Patient Navigator without referral through a toll-free number. The navigator is expected to be hired by the end of the summer.
 
Health PEI is also reaching out to Islanders who may be interested in serving as volunteer Patient/Family Advisors by offering valuable perspectives to inform quality improvement work. The advisors will be part of various quality improvement teams. They will be engaged in the decision-making process, providing their perspectives on initiatives, programs and services at all stages - from development and implementation through to evaluation. Quality improvement teams focus on improving patient safety, access and patient experience.
 
“It is important for us to listen to patients and families because they can provide us with excellent insight and feedback on their experience with our services. They often have good suggestions that can shape quality improvement initiatives, programs and services to better address their health care needs, both clinically and emotionally,” added Dowling.
 
For more information or to apply online visit Engage PEI.

The closing date for applications is July 31, 2016.
 
Media contact:
Amanda Hamel
Health PEI
(902) 368-6135
ajhamel@gov.pe.ca