https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14826955/indigenous-yarning-room-bowral-hospital.html
A hospital in New South Wales is set to introduce a 'yarning room' designed to be a culturally 'safe space' for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families
The initiative, first reported by radio host Ben Fordham on 2GB, has been confirmed by NSW Health, which says Bowral Hospital is considering the idea to strengthen engagement with Indigenous communities.
While an estimated cost of $250,000 has been reported, NSW Health has not confirmed the final price tag.
Fordham slammed the decision, saying that it was not a priority for NSW Health given data last week showed wait times for surgery had skyrocketed.
'Is this the kind of thing we should be spending money on, when elective surgery wait times are blowing out?' Fordham said.
'We might have our priorities mixed up just a little'
Recent data showed there were 100,678 patients on the statewide waiting list - up 7.34 per cent, which was close to Covid lockdown levels when elective surgeries were paused.
Yarning circles are a traditional practice used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to learn, share stories, build respectful relationships, and pass on cultural knowledge.
They are commonly used in health, education, and community settings.
A 2024 report by the Australian Government Department of Health, authored by Ngunnawal woman Cas Nest, highlights their role in delivering culturally safe healthcare.
'Yarning circles are a traditional and deeply respected way for First Nations people to communicate, learn, and maintain connection to culture,' Nest writes.
According to the report, yarning circles provide a space where participants sit in a circle to ensure equality, encourage deep listening, and foster mutual respect.
'Yarning circles allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be at the centre of conversations that affect them,' Nest states.
They need a "safe space" because white people mustn't be safe to be around? They get a room for themselves only ! Imagine the conversations and chimp outs going on in that room?!
The Ambulances are doing it hard and they want to put money into this "Ape cage"?!
A hospital in New South Wales is set to introduce a 'yarning room' designed to be a culturally 'safe space' for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families
The initiative, first reported by radio host Ben Fordham on 2GB, has been confirmed by NSW Health, which says Bowral Hospital is considering the idea to strengthen engagement with Indigenous communities.
While an estimated cost of $250,000 has been reported, NSW Health has not confirmed the final price tag.
Fordham slammed the decision, saying that it was not a priority for NSW Health given data last week showed wait times for surgery had skyrocketed.
'Is this the kind of thing we should be spending money on, when elective surgery wait times are blowing out?' Fordham said.
'We might have our priorities mixed up just a little'
Recent data showed there were 100,678 patients on the statewide waiting list - up 7.34 per cent, which was close to Covid lockdown levels when elective surgeries were paused.
Yarning circles are a traditional practice used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to learn, share stories, build respectful relationships, and pass on cultural knowledge.
They are commonly used in health, education, and community settings.
A 2024 report by the Australian Government Department of Health, authored by Ngunnawal woman Cas Nest, highlights their role in delivering culturally safe healthcare.
'Yarning circles are a traditional and deeply respected way for First Nations people to communicate, learn, and maintain connection to culture,' Nest writes.
According to the report, yarning circles provide a space where participants sit in a circle to ensure equality, encourage deep listening, and foster mutual respect.
'Yarning circles allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be at the centre of conversations that affect them,' Nest states.
They need a "safe space" because white people mustn't be safe to be around? They get a room for themselves only ! Imagine the conversations and chimp outs going on in that room?!
The Ambulances are doing it hard and they want to put money into this "Ape cage"?!