Mona Vale Hospital palliative care unit unveiled
The new inpatient building has two wings – a dedicated 10-bed palliative care unit and a 10-bed Geriatric Evaluation and Management unit – at Mona Vale Hospital.
Manly
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Northern beaches patients nearing the final stages of life will be supported and cared for closer to home with a new, purpose-built $20m palliative care unit at Mona Vale Hospital.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes and Member for Manly James Griffin toured the unit today, which will open next week and is funded under the NSW Government’s $619 million upgrade of northern beaches health facilities.
At the official opening Mr Hazzard became emotional when describing how important palliative care was when his mother died at Manly Hospital.
“Personal stories are often difficult to convey and I don’t tend to go into it all but I remember when my mum passed away at Manly Hospital...it’s a very difficult time for everybody,” Mr Hazzard said.
“And to have somebody who is there to hold your hand, and to hold, not just the hand of the person in that stage of their life, but also the rest of the friends and family particularly amazing.”
He added that it was important for people to be able to spend there last moments in the area they live, perhaps where they were even born.
Previously people have have to travel to Greenich or Neringah, often making it very difficult for families and relatives to spend time with their loved ones.
Jo-Ann Steeves, of Bilgola Plateau, President of the Friends of Northern Beaches Palliative Care, has fought for 30 years for proper specialist services on the peninsula.
She told the Manly Daily it was an emotional to see the unit built and ready for patients.
“I can just feel how the patients are going to be embraced with their families,” she said.
“They’re going to get superb medical care.”
Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes said onsite palliative services have not been available locally until now and travelling to see sick friends and family has been very difficult in the past.
“For many families they have been separated from the people they need to be with most at the time they’re needed the most,” he said.
“So that’s why this unit is so important.”
Since 2017, the NSW Government has invested an extra $145 million to palliative care and reducing avoidable hospital admissions, on top of an annual investment of $220 million. The 2020-21 NSW Budget also includes a $56 million additional funding boost for palliative care services.
Mr Stokes said the new inpatient building has two wings – a dedicated 10-bed palliative care unit and a 10-bed Geriatric Evaluation and Management unit – which will further enhance the diversity of medical services available at Mona Vale Hospital.
“This is another important addition to Mona Vale Hospital and will see a specialised palliative care unit available for the first time on the Northern Beaches,” Mr Stokes said.
“These new services will join the urgent care, community health, diagnostic, rehabilitation and other speciality services provided at Mona Vale Hospital and further boost the number of medical staff on site.”
Member for Manly James Griffin said it would provide respite for patients and their carers.
“Everything from the fittings to the artwork has been selected in consultation with groups like Friends of Northern Beaches Palliative Care and Northern Beaches In-patient Palliative Care Working Group, so the unit can meet all the needs of those admitted,” Mr Griffin said.
The Geriatric Evaluation and Management unit will provide early assessment and treatment for people experiencing health conditions associated with ageing, such as a tendency to fall, reduced mobility and cognitive impairment.
About 50 staff will work at the facility across the disciplines of medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, podiatry, speech pathology, dietetics, pharmacy, administration and environmental services
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