On behalf of: Indigenous Health and Strategy
Island Health is temporarily pausing the Indigenous Patient Self-Identification (ISI) Program at all acute care sites effective July 8, 2026. We heard directly from First Nations leaders and communities at the Vancouver Island Regional Caucus in April 2026 that the ISI Program was not consistently operating in a way that met the needs of First Nations patients, families, and communities. This pause will provide us with the time needed to revise the program in partnership with First Nations and Métis communities to ensure it better supports our goal of eradicating Indigenous-specific racism in healthcare and upholds Indigenous data sovereignty and Indigenous data governance principles.
The ISI Program remains an important part of Island Health's efforts to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism in health care by providing an opportunity to better connect Indigenous patients and families to the cultural supports and services provided by Indigenous Liaison Nurses and Indigenous Patient Navigators. Additionally, data collected through the ISI Program can help identify gaps in patient supports, experiences, and outcomes and inform equity-based decision-making.
Island Health is committed to working in good way with First Nations and Métis partners. This includes transitioning the ISI program to a shared governance model that strengthens operational oversight, improves community involvement, and supports quality improvement to ensure the program meets the needs of Indigenous patients, families, and communities. Island Health is deepening partnerships with the First Nations Health Authority and Métis Nation BC to conduct further engagement with First Nations and Métis communities. This collaborative, distinctions-based engagement process will focus on the purpose of the ISI Program, exploring opportunities for alternate approaches to data collection, and developing additional cultural safety education and training.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the acute care leaders and staff who perform patient registration for their care, commitment, leadership, and support of the ISI program over the past three years. Together, we are building more inclusive and culturally respectful healthcare spaces that aim to provide the best possible experience for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit patients. We look forward to continuing this journey.
For more information about the ISI program and our shared vision for the future, please watch this video.