- An innovative pilot program will use creative approaches to address healthcare priorities in the Wide Bay region.
- The pilot program is a new collaboration between the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service and Arts Queensland.
- The pilot program will improve the quality of patient experience, support healthcare workers’ well-being, and create employment for artists and arts workers.
The Palaszczuk Government has launched a new pilot program that will grow health and arts partnerships to support the well-being of people in the Bundaberg and Wide Bay communities.
The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service will employ an art-in-health coordinator who will work with local artists to bring their unique creative approaches to healthcare settings in the Wide Bay area. Their focus will be on creating positive healthcare experiences for patients and visitors and supporting staff wellbeing.
The Arts in Health Consultancy Service, delivered through Children’s Health Queensland, will support the new coordinator to deliver the pilot program, drawing on their experience in delivering best practice and high-quality commissioning, curation and engagement programs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch:
“The arts play an integral role in supporting the wellbeing of Queenslanders, and we know that engaging with the arts brings joy, supports social connection and the sharing of our unique stories,
“This groundbreaking program has the potential to transform healthcare in Wide Bay and create a new model of healthcare service delivery that sees arts programs as integral to health and healing across the state.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s Creative Together 2020-2023 10-Year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland prioritises the role of the arts in driving social change, and this pilot specifically responds to local individual and community health needs.”
Quotes attributable to Debbie Carroll, Chief Executive, Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service:
“I am delighted that Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has been selected to participate in this exciting initiative.
“The benefits of supporting creative arts in healthcare for staff and patients have been demonstrated globally, and we are excited to bring these innovative practices to our region.
“We can expect to see some amazing initiatives that might include a community choir, First Nations artists in residence program, creative writing program, dance for health program, or a staff art exhibition program.
“We will be consulting closely with First Nations artists and Traditional Owners to provide a program that respects and highlights the wonderful cultural traditions of our region.
“I can’t wait to see the transformative power that the arts will bring to our workplace and the wonderful opportunities for collaboration and teamwork among staff, volunteers, family, carers, and the community.”
Quotes attributable to Tom Smith, Member for Bundaberg:
“With the new Bundaberg hospital planning well underway, this exciting pilot program provides a unique opportunity to consider how arts and creativity can be integrated into health infrastructure, including the potential for new commissions for Queensland artists, growing employment for local artists in the region.”
Quotes attributable to Adrian Tantari, Member for Hervey Bay:
“Hervey Bay will benefit from this innovative pilot program, supporting the well-being of the community and creating positive healthcare experiences for patients, visitors and staff.
Quotes attributable to Bruce Saunders, Member for Maryborough:
“With services across the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, the people of Maryborough will receive the benefits of this partnership between health and the arts, delivering exciting collaboration opportunities.
