Sherry Holzaphel, ED, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Last Friday I had the privilege of unveiling the new Bribie Island Satellite Hospital Traditional Aboriginal co-name ‘Yarun’ alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners, Elders, Ali King MP, Member for Pumicestone, Karlene Willcocks, Executive Director of CKW Directorate, and Metro North Health Executive and staff.
Co-naming our Satellite Hospitals is an exciting first for our Hospital and Health Service and is one step in the right direction to including Traditional Owners of the local land in the planning process of a health service facility, but also pays recognition to local culture and honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First People and their connection to the land.
I would like to pay special acknowledgement to Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation for their ongoing support, contribution and blessing for the co-naming of these facilities and providing us with the traditional names in local language.
The new co-names will appear across all three Satellite Hospital facility signages and patient communication. The Traditional names will complement artworks displayed within the satellite hospitals commissioned with local Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi Traditional Owner artists.
Metro North Health has a commitment to reform, change and improve our health system to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive the highest of care and increased health outcomes and quality of life. This includes feeling safe attending our facilities.
An adoption of the co-names will assist in the preservation and promotion of Aboriginal language and promotes a deeper understanding of the culture and history associated with the Kabi Kabi, Turrbal, and Undambi and Djoondoburri peoples’ dialects.
In order to move forward and achieve health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we must involve community in every step of our health care service planning.
I am excited to see the changes already happening within Metro North Health supporting our agenda to achieve life expectancy parity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by 2031.
To learn more about the co-naming of our Metro North Health Satellite Hospitals you can watch this deadly video featuring our amazing Satellite Hospital staff.
Until next time, stay safe and deadly.
Kind regards,
Sherry.