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.
Click here to continue reading this article in The Daily Telegraph and to do a virtual “fly-through” of the facility.
Photo: Meet the new Mona Vale Palliative Care Unit Registered Nurses Taylor Gray and Rana Samie. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph).