Logan Hospital has officially unveiled its new Gathering Circle, reaffirming the health service's support of culturally inclusive care.
The beautiful space was revealed during the hospital's National Close the Gap Day event last week.
Surrounded by laser cut privacy screens featuring native flora and fauna, the new space doubles as an outdoor artwork installation for all to enjoy.
Logan and Beaudesert Health Service (LBHS) Executive Director Anne Coccetti said Logan's new Gathering Circle, along with Beaudesert's award-winning Gathering Circle, demonstrated the importance of cultural beliefs and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the healthcare setting.
"They are both excellent examples of LBHS' commitment to health equity," she said.
"We are dedicated to working alongside our community and First Nations staff to ensure our workplaces and healthcare spaces are culturally safe.
"The Gathering Circle is an amazing addition to Logan Hospital and I'm sure you'll agree that this beautiful green space will be welcomed by our staff and our community."
Staff and visitors at Beaudesert Hospital also came together for a Close the Gap Day event to celebrate their commitment to better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The event, opened with meaningful conversations about driving real, impactful change in healthcare, kicked off with a traditional dance performance and was followed by a morning tea.
Did you know?
- A Gathering Circle is an ancient and traditional means of communication used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to encourage respectful interactions, foster accountability, and provide a culturally safe place to listen, share, and learn from the knowledge being shared.
- The use of a Gathering Circle is an important process within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and an important strategy to foster greater understanding for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, to come together and learn from one another.
- The Gathering Circle also represents respectful relationships between people and a commitment to move forward in the journey to reconciliation.
- The integration of traditional healing places into modern healthcare settings is crucial for improving the health of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.