Cultural safety in health care allows us to meet the needs of First Nations with respect, empathy, and understanding. Knowing Indigenous history also helps better understand their social, economic, and medical realities.
Today, more than 65% of our missions take place on Indigenous territories. This knowledge of the field, and the relationships built over 20 years, represent an advantage. It facilitates inter- and pre-hospital transfers. Airmedic aims to go further with a cultural safety committee in health, led by Jessie Lepage, flight respiratory therapist and educational advisor at the Directorate of Clinical Services, Quality, and Teaching.
A concrete response to cultural equity challenges
Recent events in Lanaudière have highlighted recurring intercultural challenges. They remind us that every actor in the health network has a role to play. Everyone must act to ensure cultural equity in access to care.
For this reason, our medical and flight teams are essential. They ensure the vital link between community health centers and receiving facilities. Care provided to Indigenous patients must be fair and non-discriminatory, ensuring transfer to the appropriate facility according to their physical or psychological health needs.
Concrete tools
This is where the cultural safety committee in health comes into play. The new committee will provide training, information, and tools adapted to the reality of First Nations. The goal is to strengthen culturally safe care, even for pilots operating in the field.
In this spirit, we aim to improve Airmedic’s services to First Nations in collaboration with band councils, communities, and health centers. Additionally, through our La Romaine base, Airmedic maintains a direct link with the Innu nation of Unamen-Shipu. It also serves all communities along the Basse and Haute-Côte-Nord.
The implementation of a heli-site in Opitciwan, set to be inaugurated by summer, and the heliport infrastructure project will help support people in their communities and ensure respectful transfers and care to the hospital.
Cultural safety and communication
Finally, Airmedic will translate its communications into Indigenous languages. Partnerships with different nations and Airmedic’s presence on their territory require effective communication with First Nations. Airmedic has also collaborated with Tshiuetin Rail Transport during its contract renewal to mark this transition by translating the press release into Innu and Naskapi.
