Land Acknowledgement and Commitment to Reconciliation
The office of the Patient Ombudsman is located on the territorial land of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Historically, Toronto was a gathering place for many nations including the Anishinabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous peoples. We recognize the need for reconciliatory thought, conversation, and action in our work to achieve fair health care experiences as well as the need to challenge and disrupt the status quo. We are privileged to be able to do this work in this community and across Turtle Island.
As a champion for fairness in Ontario’s healthcare system, we recognize that anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare exists.
Part of our responsibility as a crown agency committed to reconciliation, is to recognize the unique status that Indigenous peoples have in Ontario.
Our organization is working to create a space that is culturally safe and strives to establish trust with Indigenous patients, their loved ones and community.
We will continue to update this web-space as additional updates are available.
Patient Ombudsman recognized early on its own limitations serving the needs of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Urban Indigenous patients and caregivers. The development of the Early Resolution Specialist - Indigenous Experiences (ERS-IE) role is our initial effort to address this need and the result of early collaboration with Indigenous health leaders.
For patients or caregivers who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous, the ERS-IE is available to:
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Help resolve concerns about health care experiences with public hospitals, long-term care homes, and home and community care.
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Help navigate complaint processes for organizations under Patient Ombudsman’s jurisdiction; for concerns outside our jurisdiction, the ERS-IE can guide patients and caregivers to the person or place that may be able to help.
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Facilitate respectful, comprehensive, and appropriate resolutions between patients/caregivers and health care organizations.
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Participate in community engagement initiatives and work with key stakeholders to build awareness of the service.
Our Early Resolution Specialist – Indigenous Experiences can be reached at indigenous.experiences@patientombudsman.ca