In an effort to improve the quality of care Indigenous patients and their families receive, a London hospital has created a new space that offers traditional holistic healing.
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) partnered with Atlohsa Family Healing Services to open an Indigenous Healing Space at Victoria Hospital. The space includes a ceremonial area with a brightly coloured mural that depicts Indigenous and Western health treatments joining together.
The ceremonial area at the Indigenous Healing Space.
"In this space we will engage Indigenous community partners and create access to traditional healing and ceremony, and so much more," Atlohsa Executive Direcotr Raymond Deleary said in a statement. "We look forward to helping LHSC staff and physicians build trusting relationships with Indigenous patients by providing cultural and trauma-informed, safe care.”
The hospital and non-profit organization began working together in June. The new healing space is a direct response to two health care recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The recommendations advise hospitals to recognize the value of "Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders, where requested by Aboriginal patients." Doing so would better address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harms caused by residential schools, the commission stated.
“LHSC is committed to improving and enhancing relationships with Indigenous partners, patients and colleagues,” said LHSC President and CEO Dr. Paul Woods. “The new Indigenous Healing Space is the initial element of a collaborative strategy that will focus on providing holistic health, ensuring Indigenous patients receive exceptional quality and care."
