News

Wyong Hospital is destined to have a new palliative care unit built to enhance services on the Central Coast. The new unit will provide privacy and space for patients and families, including 12 palliative care bedrooms with ensuites, as well as communal areas, meeting spaces, and flexible outdoor areas.

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said the existing space at the eastern end of the campus will be extensively remodelled to make way for the new palliative care unit.

“It will provide privacy and space for patients and families, including individual and communal areas, outdoor spaces, and access to parking and other clinical services,” Mr Harris said.

“The new unit will be a valuable addition to Central Coast Local Health District’s existing palliative care services, including the palliative care unit at Gosford Hospital and in-home services to meet individual and family needs.”

Kami Dibden manages existing palliative care volunteers at Gosford Hospital which not that long ago opened their new Palliative Care Inpatient Unit.

“We are really looking forward to the new Palliative Care Unit at Wyong opening and don’t think it will take long for the volunteer roster to be filled. When we opened the Palliative Care Inpatient Unit at Gosford, we were inundated with requests from members of the community wanting to volunteer. I’m sure it will be the same in Wyong.” says Kami.

“It takes a very special person to volunteer in this space, I know I couldn’t do it, but I am so thankful that I have a team of volunteer who are here to help. The volunteers make a wonderful difference in the unit restocking, organising but most importantly spending time with patients and their families or visitors.

“Last week some memory making work was given to a volunteer, where the volunteer was asked to assist a patient to write letters for her family. The patient was very happy with the outcome as she was able to write multiple letters. The volunteer and patient had a really special time telling stories and laughing – it was really beautiful!”