A first look at Australia’s first ever hospice for young adults, to be built on the Manly Hospital site, has been unveiled today by the NSW Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Member for Manly James Griffin also launched a community fundraising program for the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice.
“This will be a purpose-built, first-of-its-kind facility, which will provide 24/7 support to young people and their families,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Government will provide $2 million each year to contribute to the operating costs of this revolutionary facility to cater for older teens and young adults from across NSW who suffer a life-limiting illness.”
The hospice will be specifically designed for adolescents and young adults with life-limiting conditions requiring short-term respite care, symptom management or end-of-life care.
It will provide a welcoming environment with a flexible design to suit each individual, be light-filled with easy access to outdoor areas, and have the latest digital technology for connecting with friends and family.
Mr Hazzard said the facility will work closely with Bear Cottage, Manly’s renowned children’s hospice that is also unique to NSW, to assist families caring for young people as they become adults.
“This hospice will fill a much-needed gap for young people who outgrow Bear Cottage or are diagnosed with life-limiting conditions as a young adult,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The NSW Government is committed to providing appropriate palliative care services right across the State and that includes for our young people transitioning from paediatric to adult care.”
Last year the NSW Government committed an additional $100 million over four years on top of the record $210 million a year for palliative and end-of-life care services.
Mr Griffin said the NSW Government is thrilled with the positive response received from the community and that several generous benefactors had already pledged significant funds towards the capital cost of building the facility, and he urged others to also give.
“This new hospice has tremendous community support and demonstrates our commitment to provide vital health services on this site into the future,” Mr Griffin said.
“The challenges these families face are enormous. More than a quarter of the admissions to Bear Cottage in the past year have been of young people aged over 16, and there’s no appropriate place for them to go when they reach 18.”
Northern Sydney Local Health District and Health Infrastructure have convened a panel of clinical experts to advise on what services are needed at the facility, and the best design. They will consult closely with patients and the community.
Construction of the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice is expected to start in 2020.
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