Community urged to have say on Westmead, Nepean palliative care unit as completion date pushed back to 2026

Palliative care advocates in Sydney’s west have hit out after it was revealed the long-promised Westmead facility would be delayed. See what it means for terminally ill patients here.

Dr Philip Lee has revealed more details about a new palliative care unit at Westmead Hospital. Picture: John Appleyard

Westmead Hospital’s long-promised palliative care unit won’t be open until 2026 – a date that has divided advocates who have battled to see the built-for-purpose facility become a reality.

Labor has confirmed its commitment to allocate $93m for palliative care units at Westmead and Penrith as part of a $743m allocation for end-of-life care services pledged for NSW by the Liberal government last year.

Westmead Push for Palliative Care leader, Dr Philip Lee, said the project had been pushed back because the palliative care unit at Westmead would be built from scratch instead of refitted into a refurbished ward.

Dr Lee said a ward refurbishment would have seen the project completed sooner “but we understand a total new build is the optimal way to do it”.

“The main thing is we’re really pleased the new government is supporting the funding,’’ he said.

There will be 15 beds with 13 patients to be treated in 13 single rooms and a double room for those wishing to share with another patient.

Since last year’s announcement, a design team has been appointed and early planning and design of the masterplan is under way.

The new unit at Westmead will have 15 palliative care beds. Picture: John Appleyard

Dr Lee, who was the Westmead Hospital palliative care service director for 10 years, said the Westmead unit would include an outdoor area where beds could be shifted, spiritual areas, staff meeting rooms and an indigenous area where smoking ceremonies would be held.

But Westmead Push for Palliative Care advocate, Caroline Raunjak, criticised the delay for the Westmead unit’s completion date.

“It’s great we’re getting a unit but what are we going to do in the meantime?

“Westmead’s the largest health precinct in NSW, if not the country, and we don’t have palliative care - and that just doesn’t wash with me,” she said.

She underlined the importance for an outdoor area, where patients could enjoy the sun and fresh air when their family visited.

“It’s not just all the clinical stuff that goes on,’’ she said.

“It’s not just being hooked up to an IV so that’s really important. We all know the fresh air and the sun can really lift your spirits.’’

Mrs Raunjak, of North Parramatta, said advocates also wanted staff to be trained in palliative care and not just general nursing.

“I always bang on because we have wonderful, great things at Westmead for childbirth but when it comes to the other end of life we don’t do it very well.’’

Caroline Raunjak wants a faster delivery of a palliative care unit at Westmead Hospital. Picture: David Swift

Health Minister Ryan Park defended palliative care services at Westmead Hospital, where they are currently offered in its oncology unit.

“However, I understand the community’s need for a dedicated palliative care unit, which is why the NSW Government has committed to expand palliative care services and construct a dedicated unit within the Westmead Health Precinct,’’ he said.

“The NSW Government remains committed to developing specialised, compassionate end-of-life care for everyone who needs it.”

Westmead Hospital’s eight-bed palliative care unit closed in 2009, leaving only the 16-bed Mt Druitt and St Joseph’s Auburn hospitals to provide care for patients with life-threatening illnesses.

However, the eight palliative care beds at St Joseph’s will cease in September when the St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney-operated hospital closes.

Mt Druitt is the only hospital in western Sydney with a palliative care unit.

A decision to close the 19th century old hospital, because of its ageing infrastructure, was announced in June.

St Vincent’s will absorb the hospital’s palliative care and rehabilitation services while Western Sydney Local Area Health District will take on its neurological and psychogeriatric units.

The palliative care unit at Nepean hospital will open as part of its redevelopment.

Dr Lee has joined calls from the government to have a say in the design of the palliative care unit, which will provide specialised care and support to patients with complex needs.

He particularly wants families whose loved ones died recently to contribute to the unit’s design.

“It brings experience from the families’ perspective because palliative care is not just caring for the patients but supporting the family through that difficult journey,’’ he said.

Mr Park and Parramatta state Labor MP Donna Davis echoed calls for the community to have its say on the design into the Supportive and Palliative Care Unit.

Parramatta and surrounding communities who wish to contribute to the design are invited to register their interest here.

$93m in funding will be rolled out over five years for new services at Westmead, Nepean, Wyong, Tamworth and Orange hospitals.