Having a sick or premature newborn can be a deeply distressing time – made even more challenging by the disconnection from family, community and Country that can be experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
That’s the difficult reality nursery staff and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) are, with the help of a local community craft group, taking steps to address.
“Improving patient and family health outcomes starts with a welcoming, safe and culturally responsive environment,” said Neonatologist Dr Katherine White who, alongside Aunty Janet Dunn, Khaliyah Nagas, Dr Kate Thompson, Dr Deanne August and Stephanie Hall, co-led this ‘true team effort’.
Minika Ketchup and Kodi Anderson with baby April
“For this project, our goal was to create culturally appropriate baby bedding for babies admitted to our Grantley Stable Neonatal Unit,” said Dr White.
“Families’ hospital stay can last for months - sometimes three or more, separating them from family, community and Country. This project is a very important step towards making the very stressful nursery environment more welcoming for some of our most vulnerable families.
“Families are able to choose the design of the bedding for their little one, with five designs available, and partnered with the unique cultural story behind the artwork.
“The initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, speaking to the impact of this initiative in creating a culturally inclusive, safe, and family-centred environment.”
The team produced more than 40 items of culturally appropriate baby bedding, using Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designed fabric, to enhance the nursery experience for families during admissions. A further 100 items are in production, ensuring this project will impact on many more families in the years to come.
Feedback from parents suggested the fabrics made families feel “more comfortable being in such a large city and hospital” and even “safe in such a dark time and accepted”. Perspectives shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers suggested that having culture in the unit “impacts families in a big way”.
Moving forward the team has collaboratively developed a yarn to formally evaluate the project, working with Dr Kate Thompson, a Gooreng Gooreng and Yuggera Social Worker from the University of Queensland.
Baby April in culturally appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander baby bedding.
Through RBWH Foundation funding, this project has brought together health professionals, volunteers and communities to improve health equity for some of Queensland’s most vulnerable patients - wrapping the newest generation in belonging from their very first breath.
