Innovative arts in health partnership launched in Wide Bay

20 Jul 2023

A new pilot program has launched that will grow health and arts partnerships to support the well-being of people in the Bundaberg and Wide Bay communities.

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.

The pilot program has the potential to transform healthcare in Wide Bay and create a new model of service delivery that sees arts programs as integral to health and healing across the state, while creating employment for artists and arts workers.