Support for a palliative care unit at Wyong Hospital is gaining momentum with about 2,500 signatures already on a petition to be presented to the State Government next month.
“There could be no more important investment for a government than in quality of life and in especially ensuring dignity and care for those approaching the end of their life,” says Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast, Adam Crouch.
“The hardworking Elsie’s Retreat committee, Judy Maudsley, Margaret Pearce, Oana McBride, Peter Hurley, and the rest of the orange army have spent more than 10 years working tirelessly to improve palliative care options for our community on the Central Coast,” he said.
In April 2021, Crouch officially opened the Coast’s first fully funded, 10‑bed palliative care unit at Gosford Hospital.
“Together we launched a new petition in June this year, calling on our community’s support for a dedicated palliative care unit at Wyong Hospital.
“The Orange Army and I will not stop until we have thousands of signatures to present to the Minister for Regional Health, Bronnie Taylor in September.
“This is an investment in quality of life, in the dignity of our loved ones, and everyone in our region,” Crouch said.
Earlier this year the State Government announced $743M for palliative care support services around NSW.
The Elsie’s Retreat Committee wants to see some of that money directed to a second palliative care unit on the Coast, at Wyong Hospital.
Committee member of Elsie’s Retreat Project, Margaret Pearce, said there was a definite need for a second palliative care unit because of the rapid growth in the north and that the Gosford unit was always full with a waiting list.
“It’s a perfect opportunity now that the new section of Wyong Hospital is open and there could be some space in the old section,” she said.
Elsie’s Retreat is one of the ongoing projects of the Lions of Wyoming/East Gosford Centennial which put up $450,000 to furnish the Gosford unit and will do the same for the Wyong unit.
“What we need is for the government to agree to pay for specialist nursing and doctor wages, like they did for the Gosford Elsie’s, and we need fully trained staff,” Pearce said.
The Elsie’s Retreat committee and Lions Club has a scholarship fund available for Registered Nurses interested in training in palliative care.
She said the Wyong Hospital palliative care unit would be modelled on the successful Gosford unit which has provided a sanctuary for hundreds of people with a high level of care from specialist medical, nursing and allied health services.
“We are calling on community support to gather 10,000 signatures on our petitions before we can present our campaign to Parliament,” Pearce said.
To sign the petition, go to the Elsie’s Retreat Project Facebook page or go to; https://www.adamcrouchmp.com.au/palliative_care_unit_for_wyong_hospital.
Sue Murray