A new pilot project at Chilliwack General Hospital is connecting peer support workers with people who use substances to get them the medical care they need.
Peer support worker Kim Wood, who has lived experience, joined the team in September.
香蕉视频直播淚 was able to pull myself up with the support of others, and now I want to be that support person for other people,香蕉视频直播� Wood said.
The pilot project is the first of its kind in B.C.
香蕉视频直播淣ow that word about us is getting out there, they come right up to the triage desk in hospital and ask for a peer support worker,香蕉视频直播� Wood said with pride.
The pilot was designed by Fraser Health to be a response to the overdose crisis from the inside of a hospital, addressing some of the harms from a toxic, illicit drug supply.
The peer workers, many of whom have worked in homeless shelters or on inner-city projects, help folks get one-on-one support, referral to services, or just a little company as they make calls about drug treatment centre openings.
Wood tends to use plain language, in part to help remove the stigma.
香蕉视频直播淚 am and have always been an addict,香蕉视频直播� Wood said, purposely using the term. 香蕉视频直播淚 am clean now but I think we really need to not place so much negativity on the word itself.香蕉视频直播�
It helps that she can relate to those she serves.
香蕉视频直播淚 feel I can be more compassionate. It香蕉视频直播檚 not to excuse the behaviour but to understand it, and come at it that way.香蕉视频直播�
Once you tell someone you香蕉视频直播檝e been there, the walls come down.
香蕉视频直播淚 love sharing my own story,香蕉视频直播� Wood said.
She knows she may not present as the typical person struggling with addiction issues.
But she has battled depression and anxiety since the age of 14. She survived an abusive domestic relationship, where she was subjected to physical, mental and emotional abuse, as well as family trauma, and substance use that led to active addiction at one point.
香蕉视频直播淪ubstances were the Band-Aid for me. It was survival.香蕉视频直播�
When caught up the cycle of drugs some people may desperately want to walk into the ER. They might have a wound, or skin infection like cellulitis from IV drug use, and wish to be seen by a medical professional. But some fear they won香蕉视频直播檛 be treated with respect, or kindness and might delay care.
香蕉视频直播淢ost of the people I serve live in survival mode every day. That香蕉视频直播檚 the bridge. When someone sees you香蕉视频直播檝e been there too, it makes them feel accepted.香蕉视频直播�
They can also play a valuable role in defusing testy situations when things are teetering on the edge of violent escalation.
When a 香蕉视频直播渃ode white香蕉视频直播� is called over the intercom, the peer workers come running.
The team is available seven days a week in the CGH ER and may expand to other Fraser Health hospitals in the future.
香蕉视频直播淲e know people who use substances may be hesitant to come into emergency departments for fear they may be judged and not get the care they need,香蕉视频直播� says Janelle Tarnow, a clinical nurse educator with Fraser Health. 香蕉视频直播淲hat we香蕉视频直播檙e saying with this initiative is, you have an ally, someone who will advocate for you, meet you wherever you香蕉视频直播檙e at, and help you get the care you need.香蕉视频直播�
Wood feels lucky in her personal life to have had a supportive elder family member in her corner.
香蕉视频直播淚 am very lucky to have my grandma, who is a huge support system for me,香蕉视频直播� Wood said.
She gave Wood 香蕉视频直播渘on-judgemental support,香蕉视频直播� which allows her to now offer that beacon of hope to others as well.
When they started the pilot project, the peer workers conducted frequent perimeter walks around the hospital grounds in Chilliwack looking for those using substances who might need support.
香蕉视频直播淣ow we are incredibly busy during the day,香蕉视频直播� she said. And it香蕉视频直播檚 because folks are starting to seek them out.
香蕉视频直播淭he reason they come in for peer support is really about the emotional support I can give. They don香蕉视频直播檛 have to take the steps alone. It can be just the motivation they need.香蕉视频直播�
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