The Caboolture Hospital Redevelopment Project (CHRP) is just one way that Metro North Health is helping to close the gap of health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Throughout all phases of the project, the CHRP team has identified opportunities to create a stronger sense of inclusion for our First Nations peoples and has remained focused on delivering culturally appropriate health infrastructure design.
Consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, staff and community members has been central to the team’s approach and ensured they better understand the community’s spiritual, social and cultural connections to the land where our health services are located.
The feedback the team has captured, and continues to capture, is around the artwork, landscaping and cultural considerations that will be incorporated into the design response and building fabric.
One of the most exciting design elements is how the Aboriginal artwork and cultural motifs, created by Aboriginal artist Elaine Chambers-Hegarty, are being incorporated on and in the new facilities.
The CHRP team undertook extensive consultation to understand what would be the most appropriate, and culturally significant, artwork to apply to the external façade of the new five storey Clinical Services Building and the new six level Multi-Storey Carpark, which are due to open in mid-2023.
After several rounds of consultation, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Unit User Group made the final decision last month to proceed with these artwork selections.
Users also confirmed their preference to proceed with these artwork selections for the internal lift well, opposite the new Community Connect area.
These are just a few examples of how CHRP will help to create a stronger sense of inclusion for First Nations people visiting the hospital. Thank you to all the staff that have contributed their time and ideas to this important part of the redevelopment project. We know it will make a real difference and help to ensure our community feel culturally safe when visiting Caboolture Hospital.
This image combines the sun and “Cabul” (carpet snake) symbols. The sun image represents the sun and all that it means to First Nations people and is on the north-east corner of the building, facing the rising sun.
This symbol is in the shape of a Bunya tree (araucaria bidwillii). For thousands of years, First Nations people on the east coast of Australia travelled to the Blackall Ranges region (north of Caboolture) to gather and celebrate the harvest of bunya pinecones. The traditional gatherings would involve corroborees, trading, sharing food, arranging marriages and resolving issues of law.
This symbol is in the shape of the coolamon and represents the birthing suites of the hospital. The cross-hatching represents cultural diversity in the birthing suite and hospital more broadly. The surrounding dots symbolise a protected area.