Southlake patients can now use by preferred pronouns

NEWMARKET, Ont. – Southlake Regional Health Centre patients can now get more certainty that their pronouns will be correctly recognized.  The Newmarket hospital will be asking patients if they would like to share their pronouns at registration to be included on their electronic health records.

Southlake is committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable space, said president and CEO Arden Krystal (pictured) in a news release.

“Understanding and recognizing gender identities and using correct pronouns is important in creating an environment where the best experiences happen for both staff and patients, which is something we strive to achieve every day,” she said.

After patients share their pronoun information, it will be entered into the system and the patient’s care team will then use those pronouns.

Southlake partners Oak Valley Health and Stevenson Memorial Hospital will also be implementing the change through MEDITECH, an integrated health record system.

“Using pronouns correctly is a sign of safety and respect – an environment all three organizations strive to achieve,” the news release states. “All members of a healthcare organization – frontline staff, clinicians, and administrators – play a crucial role in offering an inclusive, affirming experience for all people, including those with non-binary gender identities.”

Ontario began issuing gender-neutral health cards in 2016. The goal of the change is to improve care for LGBTQ2S+.

“Asking a person’s pronouns serves as a statement about the value our organization places on individual identity and supporting both our healthcare workers and our patients in being their authentic selves,” Oak Valley Health president and CEO Jo-Anne Marr said.

The organizations said there would also be education and training across their care systems.