The national newcomer navigation network: A innovative platform for ensuring health equity for complex newcomer patients

As a result of the Syrian refugee initiative that entailed resettling 2,000 newcomers to Ottawa, CHEO was faced with supporting a high volume of refugee children and families with complex needs. In response, leaders at CHEO implemented an innovative navigator program to support the rising number of refugee children and families, and mitigate the cultural and linguistic barriers they encountered. Building on this success, CHEO received a three-year Innovation Fund Contribution Agreement to develop a National Newcomer Navigation Network (N4). This concurrent session will detail lessons learned by health care leaders as they effectively pivoted and adapted services in response to a major shift in patient demographics. Presenters will highlight how they further innovated to create a pan-Canadian Network that brings together professionals across sectors to connect, learn and collaborate, with the ultimate goal of improving the patient experience of new Canadians. 

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Presenters

Christine Kouri, Manager of Health Equity and Diversity, CHEO  

Seeta Ramdass, Communications Specialist, National Newcomer Navigation Network