Aboriginal artist Valerie “Wawarra” Gruenberg with her artwork

The RBWH Coronary Care Unit (CCU) in partnership with the consumer portfolio has led a quality improvement project to raise awareness and promote a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing the service.

The group commissioned local Aboriginal artist Valerie “Wawarra” Gruenberg to create an artwork to be displayed at the CCU entrance, with the aim of creating a welcoming environment and promoting cultural awareness and safety. Valerie travelled all the way from Russell Island on 23 September to present the finished piece to the team.

CCU clinical nurse Paul Clifford said that it is important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers accessing the service are cared for respectfully and feel welcomed.

“Valerie has been working on the piece for the past year and put a lot of thought into the artwork with a message of health and connecting people,” he said.

“She wanted to make inter-hospital transfers from across the state feel welcomed and has incorporated a journey across country and indigenous medicines to the artworks story.

“It is vital for us as RBWH healthcare workers to acknowledge the traditional landowners, The Turrbal people, who have used medicines and provided care for their people for thousands of years.”