Every step matters on RBWH’s reconciliation journey
RBWH Cultural Capability Officer, Yvonne O’Neill encourages all Australians to take time to reflect this National Reconciliation Week
RBWH is embracing National Reconciliation Week as a time for staff to reflect on how to move forward towards a more equitable healthcare future.
As Cultural Capability Officer at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), Yvonne O’Neill is working to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel safe, respected, and supported when accessing healthcare.
Yvonne says the legacy of past injustices continues to influence how many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience institutions, including hospitals.
“Because of events like the Stolen Generations, many community members still see institutions as places of harm,” she says.
“Change is happening, but it takes time. Building cultural capability helps make hospitals more welcoming and safer for everyone.”
An important part of this work is ensuring patients can navigate the healthcare system with confidence. RBWH provides a range of culturally appropriate services, including a dedicated Indigenous Hospital Liaison Service.
“Our liaison officers support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients throughout their hospital stay and when they return home,” Yvonne says.
“They make sure people understand their treatment and advocate for them with clinical teams.”
With National Reconciliation Week underway, Yvonne says it’s an important moment for all Australians, including hospital staff, to reflect and take positive steps forward.
“I see National Reconciliation Week as a time to pause, acknowledge the past, and commit to moving forward together,” she says.
“Here at RBWH, it’s a reminder that everyone deserves to feel safe and cared for, and that we all have a role in understanding and responding to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Yvonne believes progress is ongoing, but every action matters.
“Reconciliation is a journey, and any step in the right direction is progress.”
National Reconciliation Week runs until Wednesday, 3 June. More information is available on the Reconciliation Australia website.