Culture at the Heart, Bairnsdale Regional Health Service’s (BRHS) innovative program to ensure more Aboriginal people complete cardiac rehabilitation following a heart attack, has been recognised with a new award.
BRHS won the 2024 Gippsland Primary Health Award in the “Transforming access to care through inclusive practice” category for Culture at the Heart.
The win caps off a stellar week for BRHS, which was also confirmed as one of two finalists in the Victorian Public Health Awards for the Premier’s Award for Best Medium-Sized Health Service, finishing narrowly behind Gippsland healthcare partner Bass Coast Health.
Culture at the Heart is led by BRHS’ Aboriginal Health Unit.
It was originally funded by the Gippsland Primary Health Network and supported by Orbost’s Moogji Aboriginal Council and Safer Care Victoria.
The program combines health education and mild physical activities on Country with cultural pursuits to improve access to cardiac and preventative care for Aboriginal people by enhancing health literacy, cardiac health and social connections.
It was co-designed by and for Aboriginal people in East Gippsland.
BRHS executive community wellbeing and aged care Sonia Reisenhofer said Culture at the Heart was developed when the Aboriginal Health Unit observed a significant disparity in cardiac rehabilitation completion rates between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in East Gippsland and other East Gippsland people.
“Culture at the Heart is a practical example of what it means to Close the Gap between health outcomes for Aboriginal people and other Australians,” she said.
“The Aboriginal Health Unit saw a need and worked with our partners to ensure cardiac rehab was more accessible for Kooris who, for historical reasons, are less likely to engage with health services like ours – and it’s delivered real improvement.”
Aboriginal Health Unit team leader Narelle Bragg said Culture at the Heart was created in a genuine spirit of cooperation.
“This award is an amazing recognition of the hard work, collaboration and the fun we had creating a program that is so meaningful for our Aboriginal community,” Narelle said.
BRHS chief executive officer, Kathy Kinrade said the Aboriginal Health Unit’s win and the recognition BRHS received at the Victorian Public Health Awards shows that BRHS is heading in the right direction.
“We have done a huge amount of work in the past few years to refine our policies procedures, improve the feedback we’re receiving from patients and their loved ones and develop innovative solutions to improve the care that we offer to the people of East Gippsland,” she said.
“BRHS’ recognition in the Victorian Public Health and Gippsland Primary Health awards means a lot to BRHS staff, Kathy said.
“It’s a great reflection of what we have achieved and the dedication of our whole team to drive better outcomes for the people we serve. I want to thank our staff for their hard work and commitment,” she said.
“The fact that BRHS and Bass Coast Health were named in the same category at the Victorian Public Health Awards shows the quality of healthcare that Gippsland people receive. We congratulate Bass Coast Health for winning that award.”
