Abstract
Picture a hospital where the walls breathe cultural vibrancy, where every stroke of art tells a story, and where wellbeing is not just a medical objective but a holistic experience. This is what people encounter when they access the newest public hospital on the Gold Coast in Australia. With design principals that focused on First Nations culture, the facility demonstrates that art, strategically embedded within healthcare spaces, can become a vital nourishing force for patients, staff, and visitors alike. This paper explores the journey of integrating First Nations artwork within a newly constructed hospital, highlighting the unique role that such an approach can play in fostering a healing environment that resonates with cultural diversity. Since opening in 2023, the Tugun Satellite Hospital has become a culturally responsive healthcare environment by implementing a community art gallery, a healing garden, a ‘yarning circle’ and an outdoor indigenous sculpture. Surveys conducted with patients, staff and First Nations artists and communities revealed these initiatives as vital forms of sustenance, fostering cultural pride, safety, and community wellbeing. Key outcomes spanned across four main areas: 1) Enhanced patient wellbeing, 2) Increased cultural safety, 3) Strengthened community ties, 4) Increased meaningful and inclusive healthcare experiences. As healthcare increasingly recognises the importance of holistic patient care, this study showcases a real-world implementation of culturally enriched design principles. The author reflects on case studies and practical examples, emphasising the profound role of art in creating spaces that not only heal the body but also nourish the spirit.
Presenters
Madeline CollinsManager, Creative Health Hub, Strategic Communication and Engagement, Gold Coast Health, Queensland, Australia
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Arts, Health, Environment, Hospital
