Celebrating Social Work Week, March 4-10

Social workers support patients every day throughout Ontario’s health and social care systems. Within each patient’s unique context, they are a key part of the multidisciplinary team, helping to identify the source of stress or problems, strengthen coping skills and find effective solutions.

March 4-10 has been identified as Social Work Week in Canada, to help recognize the role, and build awareness of the many ways social workers can support patient and family care across the continuum.

NHH has benefited from the support of social worker Chantal Lelievre (centre) in a range of roles for close to 9 years, first with Community Mental Health Services, where social workers hold a range of key roles from case management to counselling and, most recently, as a full-time NHH Social Worker shared across inpatient, Cancer and Supportive Care and Emergency care.

“For me, I enjoy the diversity of the patients and families I get to work with in the hospital sector. From outpatient care to inpatient care, my role is very solution focused while, at the same time, very patient-directed,” says Chantal, who can receive a patient referral from any member of the medical staff or front-line care team as well as from an inpatient or their family directly, as long as that patient is registered at NHH.

“A lot of the work I do flows from patients within the Cancer and Supportive Care program, both here at NHH and through our regional relationship with the Durham Regional Cancer Program. I work closely with our Nurse Navigator Kim Baxter, and, as appropriate, Aboriginal Navigator Kathy MacLeod Beaver to provide counselling to cancer patients, support advance care planning, help them to connect with community resources, access financial or transportation aid and provide support options for caregivers.”

Beyond cancer and supportive care, Chantal is also called on regularly to assist in inpatient care as well, and the Emergency Department.

“Sometimes, the support I provide is very simple. Sitting, and listening to the family of a patient who is very ill, for example, or talking with a patient or a family member brought in by ambulance following an accident on the highway. Quite often, I act as a mediator--between the family and the challenges they face--helping to understand the barriers, break down challenges into manageable parts, and build connections to the people and resources that can help get them through. Understanding each patient’s story helps me to get to the cause of the issue and, together, we can find a solution.”

Master of Social Work (MSW) students also benefit from Chantal’s mentorship and—through regular preceptorships—support patient care here at NHH. Courtney Gillard and Bradley Beaumont are University of Windsor graduate students currently working alongside Chantal as part of their Master of Social Work degree placement requirement.

“Everyone has a story,” says Chantal, “and if we can understand that story, we’re better able to deliver quality care and help someone move forward. It’s a privilege to do what I do, and I really love it.”