New patient navigator improving access to care

Mary Laura Coady, Health PEI’s new provincial patient navigator, is already helping to make health care more accessible and easier to understand for Islanders.

 

A patient navigator guides patients through the system and connects them with the right care providers, resources, and supports. Coady has worked with 10 Islanders since starting in December.

 

“Our health care system, like any other, is complex and can be difficult to understand, especially during times of illness,” said Coady, who brings to the role 11 years of experience in community and acute-care settings throughout the Maritimes. “Working directly with patients, their families and health care providers, I can help overcome barriers to accessing care, and connect patients with valuable resources on the Island and out of province.”

 

Patient navigators are commonly used by health care organizations across the country to improve access to services and coordination of care.

 

“Patient navigators work alongside our patients and their families, ensuring continuity of care and providing answers to questions about the health care system,” Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson said. “Navigating a complex health system can bring on fear or anxiety, so the patient navigator works to alleviate those fears and help the patient get the right care, by the right provider, when and where they need it.”

 

In addition to this new patient navigator service, Health PEI also has three program-specific patient navigators in place: a cancer patient navigator, stroke patient navigator and addiction system navigator.

 

Islanders can access the patient navigator service without referral by calling toll-free 1-844-882-3141 or e-mailing patientnavigator@gov.pe.ca.

For more information, visit Patient Navigator Service

Media contact:

Amanda Hamel

Senior Communications Officer

Health PEI

(902) 368-6135

ajhamel@gov.pe.ca