A Journey in the Big Land: Enhancing Cancer Care Services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Labrador

A Journey in the Big Land: Enhancing Cancer Care Services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Labrador aimed to enhance transitions in care between hospital and community settings, expand the tele-oncology model for improved access to care, and increase cultural safety in the delivery of health services.

Location: Newfoundland and Labrador

Timeline: 2014-2017

Funded partner: Eastern Health

Partners:

  • Nunatsiavut Government Department of Health and Social Development
  • Mushuau Innu First Nation
  • Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation
  • Nunatukavut Community Council
  • Labrador‐Grenfell Health
  • Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation
  • Canadian Cancer Society
  • Cancer patients/survivors/caregivers/family and community members

Focus:

  • Community and clinic profiles were developed in partnership with First Nations and Inuit partners, Labrador-Grenfell Health and Eastern Health to facilitate discharge planning for patients returning to their home communities from secondary or tertiary level care.
  • An orientation video tour of the Cancer Centre in St. John’s and the hospital in Happy Valley‐Goose Bay was developed as a resource for patients.
  • A cultural safety-training program developed by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health and Community Services was delivered to health care professionals.

Outcomes:

  • Innovative tools and resources were developed to ensure delivery of culturally safe care to improve health outcomes for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples living in Labrador