Skip to content

Programs & Services

Inner City Health Program Statement on Diversity

What?

The St. Michael's Hospital approach to recognizing and celebrating diversity has been one of integration. The main goal is to continuously monitor and shape the culture of the Hospital to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. This will ensure that our healthcare services are delivered in accordance with our mission and values, which promote our core values of human dignity, compassion, excellence, community, social responsibility and pride of achievement. Diversity is not only the responsibility of patients, visitors, hospital staff, students, or volunteers; it is also the responsibility of everyone who is part the organization. To maintain our tradition of excellence in health care provision, it is one of our goals to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate care to the communities we serve.

Why?

St. Michael's Hospital serves one of the most diverse communities in Canada. This diversity extends far beyond ethno-racial or linguistic diversity, but to the many cultural groups that live or work in downtown Toronto. Ethno-racial diversity is only one focus of our work in this area: there are also faith based groups; people who are homeless or underhoused; women at risk, seniors; youth; children; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and transsexual communities; people living with mental illness; people living with HIV/AIDS; people with disabilities; people living in poverty; and people with addictions are all considered cultural groups.

How?

St. Michael's Hospital recognizes that within each of these communities, there are specific cultural based beliefs concerning health and the health care system. We approach continuously monitor the attitudes of patients, visitors, community partners and Hospital personnel; address language and communication barriers; increase cultural awareness; and address systemic inequities within the Hospital and the wider health sector.

Some of our Projects

  • Cultural sensitivity training is provided to all staff upon entering the organization and through on-going educational opportunities.
  • Language interpretation is available free of charge when you visit a doctor. Please ask your doctor's office to reserve this service at least five days in advance of your appointment.
  • Our sponsored telephone interpreting is available in urgent situations.
  • A practical language translation aid is available on the Hospital website.
  • Foods from specific ethno-cultural or religious communities can be requested. Food services will attempt to meet these requests whenever possible.
  • Spiritual care can make arrangements to have spiritual leaders visit you from a variety of faith groups.
  • The Hospital Mentors for Internationally Trained Professionals project provides specific training and mentorship opportunities to assist recent immigrants gain employment in their professional fields.
  • We annually review structural and other barriers for people with physical or mental disabilities.

Contact Us

If you have a compliment or complaint, please approach the Hospital department that you visited. There is also a patient advocate available to record your story and assist with resolution.

Patient affairs
Phone: 416-864-5215

For more information about diversity projects
Phone: 416-864-5087.