29 May 2024

Food has a unique ability to cross boundaries and create connections between people. Austin Health is using this to help our community inch closer to achieving reconciliation.

This year, the Ngarra Jarra, dietetics and food service teams commenced a partnership to use food to work towards closing the healthcare gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

“For mob, being in a hospital can be a stressful experience. Access to familiar and preferred foods can provide comfort and a sense of normalcy, helping to reduce anxiety and also helps to empower First Nations patients to feel comfortable and safe while receiving care,” says Danella Webb, Manager Ngarra Jarra Aboriginal Health Unit.

In March, a trial of offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients an additional list of food to choose from during their stay in hospital commenced. The goal is to help these patients feel more welcomed and safer, and increase their likelihood of staying in hospital and getting treatment that they need.

Creating an environment across all our sites where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are welcomed, valued and respected is a key outcome in our Reconciliation Action Plan.

“Food is important to everyone. We all have fond food memories, and it is something that we can control when things feel out of control. We are hoping that by offering increased choices to our First Nations patients, it can help them feel more in control and build positive memories of hospitals,” said Janice Poon, Senior Dietitian.

Moving forward, the Ngarra Jarra, dietetics and food service teams plan to work together on projects including building a special menu for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and using native ingredients in the main hospital menu.

Food will hopefully help everyone build a greater understanding and connection with the land and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

If you have an initiative or idea that you want to put into action to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, please contact Danella Webb Manager Ngarra Jarra.