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One of Australia’s busiest hospitals has defended its decision to introduce an Aboriginal lounge and a ‘menu for mob,’ following criticism from a conservative commentator who accused the hospital of ‘separating people by race.’
Canberra Hospital is building an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lounge as part of major expansion projects due to be completed next year.
The lounge, which will feature a yarning circle, will make it more ‘culturally safe’ for ATSI patients and their families, a hospital spokesperson has said.
Patients who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander can also select from the ‘Menu for Mob,’ featuring options like 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’ had been developed in close consultation with their Consumer Reference Group, first formed in 2010.
‘Consumers offered this menu may choose to order from the general menu or the ‘menu for mob’ extras list, which contains a Kangaroo Stew as requested from the Consumer Reference Group,’ the spokesperson said.
‘The menu was developed to improve cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers during their stay, and help them feel supported, recognising many consumers will be off Country while they are in hospital.’
The hospital will next year feature an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lounge (pictured)
Kangaroo stew, curried sausages and savoury mince are available on the ‘menu for mob’
The spokesperson said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lounge will allow those patients to access care in a ‘culturally supportive environment’.
‘We have worked closely with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consumer Reference Group, to design this welcoming and culturally safe space,’ they said.
‘The Lounge acknowledges the importance of connection to Country, fostering a sense of belonging and enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access health care in a culturally supportive environment.
The hospital’s expansion was closely developed in collaboration with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
It includes design features ‘that further support connection to Country’ such as views of the surrounding mountain range and artwork by talented First Nations artists.
But Sky News host Andrew Bolt accused the hospital of ‘separating people by race’ and offering an ‘apartheid menu’.
‘Why are we separating 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 a Aboriginal-only lounge and a ‘menu for mob’ after it was accused of ‘separating people by race’
A new building at Canberra Hospital (pictured) will feature a range of new amenities
‘How on earth does the ACT Labor government and the Albanese Labor government justify funding this apartheid, this kind of state racism, to divide us by race, to care for us by race, even to feed us by race?
‘If you’re concerned about racism, be concerned about this,’ Mr Bolt said.
