Sutherland Hospital opens Dharawal Aboriginal Carers Lounge

The much anticipated Dharawal Aboriginal Carers Lounge at Sutherland Hospital has officially opened.

Vicki Weeden, General Manager The Sutherland Hospital said everyone at the hospital is extremely excited to be officially opening the Dharawal Aboriginal Carers Lounge.

“The Aboriginal carers lounge is a culturally appropriate space for patients, their families and carers to enjoy a cup of tea, have a conversation about the patient’s care or simply rest while their loved one is receiving treatment,” Ms Weeden said.

The room consists of new lounges, a kitchen, table and chairs and tea and coffee making facilities and has been decorated with Aboriginal art works by local artists. A very special artwork takes pride of place on the main wall of the room, created by Sutherland Hospital staff during an Aboriginal art workshop facilitated by DALMARRI artists Jason Douglas and Trevor Eastwood.

The opening event included a Welcome to Country by Uncle Peter McKenzie, an Aboriginal smoking ceremony and morning tea consisting of traditional Aboriginal food.

The establishment of the Dharawal Aboriginal Carer’s lounge was made possible thanks to the support of The Sutherland Hospital, and generous funding received from the SESLHD Carer’s Program and SESLHD Aboriginal Health Unit, the Integrated Healthcare Unit, Kirkton Rd Centre, PACH/Health Promotion and HARP.

It is an initiative that supports the strategic directions of the NSW Aboriginal Health Plan 2013-2023, along with St George and the Sutherland Hospitals and Health Services Aboriginal Health Implementation Plan 2021-2023 which aims to reduce cultural barriers and enhance the capacity to deliver quality healthcare to Aboriginal people.