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On Tuesday 29th April, the Minister for Health, Ryan Park announced that a new children’s hospice will be built in Western Sydney within The Children’s Hospital at Westmead to support children and young people with life-limiting illness and their families.

The NSW Government will establish the hospice, the second of its kind in the state, to provide a home-like environment offering respite, symptom management, and end of life care. Planning and design is set to commence this year.

“Palliative Care NSW welcomes the announcement of a new children’s hospice to be built within The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Receiving care and support in a home-like environment is known to have wide reaching benefits. This is a significant step forward to providing more choice for families and to improving the accessibility of paediatric palliative care in NSW, particularly for children and families located in Greater Western Sydney and Western NSW.” says Kirsty Blades, CEO, Palliative Care NSW.

“Up to this point, the only dedicated children’s hospice in NSW has been Bear Cottage, located in Manly and part of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN). Bear Cottage is an exceptional facility that has been caring for children and their families from not just NSW, but across Australia since 2001. Since opening, Bear Cottage has made a significant difference to over 1,000 families with the support of their dedicated staff and volunteers. It was also built on the back of strong community support and donations, and this additional hospice will now have that same opportunity to make a positive difference to children and families.” 

The new hospice will be called “Mounties Care Cottage” and will support families from across NSW. The hospice is inspired by Sydney boy, Rio Fowler, and the work of Rio’s Legacy. Rio was diagnosed with a rare and terminal condition called arterial vasculopathy disease at 16-months-old. Rio and his family spent time at Bear Cottage, for end-of-life care before he died in 2018. Following his death, Rio’s parents, Ryan and Karen founded Rio’s Legacy, a charity dedicated to supporting families and children with life-limiting conditions and advocating for services like Bear Cottage.

“For my wife Karen and I, our son Rio has always been our inspiration,” says Rio’s Legacy Founder, Ryan Fowler.

“As a bereaved father, championing these extraordinary children, their stories, and supporting families facing the unimaginable challenge of living with a child with a life-limiting illness has been the driving force behind our efforts. It’s truly humbling to witness the support of so many people coming together to bring such a place to life.”

The NSW Government will contribute more than $20 million. The Mounties Group will contribute $13 million over 10 years to the project, through Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation. The gift marks the largest, single contribution SCHF has ever received.

Mounties Care Cottage will provide spaces for families to connect and relax, including an onsite kitchen and dining area. It will have direct private access to nearby gardens and play areas.

It will also connect with other paediatric health services across The Children’s Hospital at Westmead campus, including oncology, neurology and intensive care, allowing patients access to efficient and patient centred care.

The new hospice will build on the comprehensive and supportive care Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) offers through Bear Cottage and will offer care to families from across NSW.

Read the NSW Government Full Media Release here: Western Sydney to be home to new paediatric hospice

Paediatric Palliative Care Resources and Information

Paediatric Palliative Care. This website has quality information, and resources about paediatric palliative care for healthcare professionals, children, families/carers.

Bear Cottage (For patients under the age of 18)

Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) (For 16 to 30-year-old patients)