John was admitted to the hospital and stayed for weeks but his family was not given answers. That's where we step in.

Tom had seen the same doctor for the last fifty years. He was feeling dizzy, light-headed and fatigued and felt as if his doctor was dismissive and wasn’t listening to his concerns due to his age.

Bartley, founder of Toronto-based Integrity Healthcare Consultants, is part of a small but growing new field of private advocates or navigators who will – for a fee – help patients and their families find their way through Canada's labyrinthine health-care system.