In-Hospital Aboriginal Support

Being in the hospital can be painful and stressful, especially if you are far away from your family and home.  We offer all aboriginal patients certain services that can make your hospital stay more comfortable. 

 

To improve your healing and peace of mind, Carrier Sekani Family Services provides:

 

• Doctor’s meetings for you and your family, so everyone can learn about your health issues and understand your treatment

• Extra information about health services you can use in Prince George, and in your home community

• Translation between Carrier dialects and English; if we don’t speak your dialect, we will find someone who does

• Advice on how to get medical travel benefits to make your stay less expensive.  This program can help with the cost of hotels, food, and transport.

• Aunties and Uncles who can come spend time with you during a long, lonely hospital stay

 

June McMullen is the one who runs the in-hospital aboriginal support program.  She’s a member of the Nak’asdli Band and the Beaver Clan and had a traditional upbringing.  June has a bachelor’s degree in First Nations Studies.  She treats all her patients with compassion and respect.

 

Who Can Get In-Hospital Support

Carrier Sekani Family Services offers this program to all aboriginals and their spouses staying at the University Hospital of Northern BC, in Prince George.  You do not have to be from Prince George or even northern BC to use this program.  There is no cost for using any of the in-hospital support services!

 

How To Sign Up For In-Hospital Support

You do not need to sign up for these services.  If you tell your community health representative or your social worker that you will be in the hospital in Prince George, they will make sure June McMullen knows about you.

 

If you forgot to tell someone that you were going to the University Hospital of Northern BC, don’t worry!  When you get there, just tell a nurse that you would like to see June McMullen, the aboriginal liaison.  They will put you in touch with June.

 

Aboriginal Support In Other Hospitals

Many hospitals in BC have similar programs to ours.  If you are being transferred to another hospital, please let June know.  She will contact the aboriginal liaison at the other hospital and let them know you will be arriving!