One of Australia’s busiest hospitals has defended its decision to introduce an Aboriginal lounge and a “menu for the masses”, following criticism from a conservative commentator who accused the hospital of “segregating people by race”.
The Canberra hospital is currently building a lounge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as part of a major expansion project due for completion next year.
The lounge, which will also include a support group, will make it “culturally safer” for ATSI patients and their families, a hospital spokesperson said.
Patients who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander can also choose from the ‘Menu for Mob’, which includes options such as kangaroo stew.
A Canberra Health Services spokesperson said the hospital was working hard to improve cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
They told Daily Mail Australia that the ‘menu for mob’ was developed in close consultation with their Consumer Reference Group, which was first established in 2010.
“Consumers offered this menu can choose from the general menu or the extras from the ‘menu for the masses’, which includes a kangaroo stew, as requested by the Consumer Reference Group,” the spokesperson said.
‘The menu has been developed to enhance the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers during their stay and to provide them with a sense of support, recognising that many consumers are away from home during their hospital stay.’
The hospital will have an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lounge next year (photo)
Kangaroo stew, curry sausages and hearty mince are on the ‘menu for the masses’
The spokesperson said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lounge provides these patients with the opportunity to receive care in a “culturally supportive environment”.
“We worked closely with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consumer Reference Group to design this welcoming and culturally safe space,” the researchers said.
‘The Lounge recognises the importance of connection to country, fostering a sense of belonging and providing access to health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally supportive environment.
The hospital expansion was developed in close collaboration with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
It includes design features ‘that further enhance the connection to the land, such as views of the surrounding mountain range and artwork by talented First Nations artists.
But Sky News presenter Andrew Bolt accused the hospital of “segregating people by race” and offering an “apartheid menu”.
“Why are we segregating people by race like this? In a public hospital for all Australians of all races, paid for by Australians of all races,” he fumed.
Canberra Hospital (pictured) has defended a decision to introduce an Aboriginal-only lounge and a ‘menu for the masses’ after the hospital was accused of ‘segregating people on the basis of race’
A new building at Canberra Hospital (pictured) will house a range of new facilities
‘How do the ACT Labor government and the Albanian Labor government justify funding this apartheid, this form of state racism, to divide us based on race, to care for us based on race, and even to feed us based on race?
“If you are concerned about racism, be concerned about this issue,” Mr Bolt said.
