Manly: Work begins on adolescent hospice Gladys Berejiklian, James Griffin attend
These young men with life-limiting illnesses are the inspiration behind a new Sydney facility aiming to give them what traditional nursing homes couldn’t.
Manly
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Scott Green has muscular dystrophy, but like any other young man what he wants to do most is hang out with his mates.
Many of his friends also have muscular dystrophy or other life limiting illnesses.
Up until three years ago, the 21-year-old from Baulkham Hills was able to meet up with them, thanks to a children’s hospice in Manly, which has qualified staff and facilities to allow this.
He would arrange to go for respite care at the same time as his friends so they could catch up, spend time together and with the help of staff go into Manly and enjoy what other young people take for granted, like grabbing a coffee, or going to the pub for lunch.
But unfortunately, once he turned 18 he was no longer allowed at Bear Cottage. And, that has had a major impact on his social life.
“For me to travel on my own I have to organise lots of equipment, check that the place is accessible and I’ve had experiences before where places are accessible, but they don’t meet the accessibility needs I require,” he said.
Scott said after turning 18, it was a “hard transition”.
Similarly, Matthew Van Hoek, 22, from Dee Why, who has cerebellar atrophy and cerebral palsy, has also found himself very isolated since becoming an adult.
His mum Debbie, 60, said they had been offered respite care at an old people’s home, but it wasn’t really suitable.
“The message is that there’s nowhere for them to go,” she said.
“They’ve got needs the same as every other young gentleman or lady and they need to be respected. They need to have time where they can enjoy each other’s company and you know, just have a bit of their own time.
“And as parents we like to have a bit of a break as well.”
The view of the families with young people with life-limiting or chronic illnesses were heard at the sod-turning of Australia’s first hospice for the teens and young people at the site of the old Manly Hospital at North Head.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $19.5 million Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice will serve 15- to 24-year-olds and will be up and running 2022.
She said it was made possible thanks to the community working with the government and in particular the generosity of local philanthropists such as Kay Van Norton Poche, who donated $5m to the new hospice.
She said the inspiration for the project were young people such as Scott and Matthew.
“Please know your voices have been heard,” she said.
“We’re proud of you … I hear by the end of next year you will be able to test out the premises and let us know how it’s going.
“...you and your families are the inspiration for this and the inspiration for what successive generations will enjoy.”
As well as the Premier Manly MP James Griffin was at the sod turning this morning, along with other dignitaries including Mayor Michael Regan, former Manly Mayor Jean Hay and Liberal senator Andrew Bragg.
Mr Griffin said it really meant a lot to see this project get underway.
“It is very meaningful, not just for what it will provide, but making good on the wishes and visions of a lot of other people,” he said.
“It will serve all of NSW and is another feather in Manly’s cap.
“We are again sharing our beautiful area with people from across the state at their hardest times.”
The facility, which will provide end of life and short-term respite care for eight young people at a time, will be surrounded by bushland.
It will have sweeping views over Sydney Harbour.
It will be built alongside the so-called “health and wellness sanctuary” proposed for the rest of the old hospital grounds that is expected to include seniors housing, a dementia care centre, and a child care centre as well as studios for yoga and pilates.
And as part of the plans, much of the five-hecatre site would become public open space with picnic areas and eateries as well as easy access to the neighbouring Sydney Harbour National Park and Collins Flat Beach.
The new hospice will work closely with the nearby renowned Bear Cottage, a hospice and respite care centre for children and the public will have input into naming the new hospice.
The NSW Government will also contribute $2 million towards operating costs for the new hospice that will also have two family accommodation units with two bedrooms each; a kitchen, dining room and laundry facilities; a lounge room with an outdoor balcony and harbour views, games room, media room, multi-sensory room and quiet rooms.
Deborah Willcox, CEO of Northern Sydney Local Health District, said she hoped the people of Manly and the northern beaches will take the new hospice to their hearts, like they have Bear Cottage.
She said there were opportunities for them to get involved and support the new hospice through fundraising.
She said extra funds will help provide additional facilities to make the young peoples’ time there even better. People can donate via the link at the bottom of this article.
The old Manly Hospital closed in October 2018 when the new Northern Beaches Hospital opened.
For further information and to support the Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice, visit http://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Manly/Pages/default.aspx
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