The Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) has introduced a new self-identification option for First Nations and Indigenous patients, aiming to improve culturally responsive care and strengthen relationships with local Indigenous communities.
The option, now available during registration at BCHS facilities, allows Indigenous patients to voluntarily identify their status, ensuring their cultural identity is acknowledged and integrated into their care plan.
The move follows feedback from patients and families who have called for more inclusive healthcare practices that recognize traditional values and ways of healing.
“This is about creating a more welcoming and respectful environment for Indigenous patients from the moment they enter our hospitals,” said BCHS President and CEO Bonnie Camm.
“It’s an important step in supporting care that reflects traditional knowledge alongside Western medicine”, she noted.
The initiative builds on several actions BCHS has taken in recent years to address the healthcare needs of Indigenous communities.
These include the creation of a physician-led Indigenous Medicine Division, the hiring of a dedicated Manager of Indigenous Health Services, and the introduction of an Indigenous Patient Navigator Program.
The hospital also offers Six Nations language translation, support with discharge planning, and access to community-based and in-house resources.
A new Indigenous Family Space has also been created next to the Emergency Department at Brantford General Hospital as part of a $32 million redevelopment project.
“Self-identification helps our staff understand that a patient may want their care to reflect cultural practices and traditions,” said Michelle Bomberry, Manager of Indigenous Health Services.
“It’s about building trust and ensuring that Indigenous patients are treated with respect and understanding throughout their stay”, she added.
BCHS includes Brantford General Hospital and The Willett in Paris, serving communities across Brant County. The new self-identification option is part of the healthcare system’s broader commitment to reconciliation and equity in care.
