And it might not be the last time, judging by the fully booked clinics and response from hospital staff.

Dr Francesca Panzironi, CEO of the Anangu Ngangkari Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (ANTAC), who came to Bathurst with two healers from South Australia’s north-west, said it was the first time the healing service had been in a hospital outside South Australia.

The visit to Bathurst Base Hospital was a “very important step forward in the recognition of Aboriginal traditional healers as legitimate healthcare practitioners”, she said.

Healers (or Ngangkari) Cyril McKenzie and Debbie Watson, from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, provided one-on-one treatments to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people during the two days of local clinics.

“The treatments are a unique and very ancient health practice which has been practised for 60,000 years,” Dr Panzironi said.

Western NSW Local Health District director of medical services Dr Clayton Spencer said the district had brought the Ngangkari to Bathurst “to try to encourage a greater interest in traditional indigenous healing”.

He said the healers worked alongside staff specialists in Bathurst, focusing on each person’s spirit, because that affects their body.

More clinics might be offered in Bathurst judging by the response to last week’s visit, he said.

Hospital general manger Sue Patterson said having traditional healing complement traditional medicine was “culturally important”.

As well as traditional healing services, ANTAC provides private dwelling and public building cleansing and education and bush medicine workshops.

The corporation also participates at community events.

”We are happy to provide services anywhere in Australia or interstate,” Dr Panzironi said.

The Ngangkari said they wanted to thank the Wiradyuri for being so welcoming.

Visit www.antac.org.au for more information.