Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie has launched a new initiative called Honouring Indigenous Identity in Healthcare. In a news release today, the hospital cited it as an important step forward in supporting visibility, access and healing for Indigenous patients.
From now on, all patients who register at RVH will now be asked if they wish to self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) and if they would like to be referred to the Indigenous Patient Services (IPS) team.
The change is aimed at honouring identity, building stronger relationships, and enabling culturally appropriate care.