Members of the Elsie’s Project committee want answers on when a new palliative care unit will open at Wyong Hospital and will hold a public forum on Sunday, February 4.
It’s been a long 12 years for the Orange Army, as the dedicated, compassionate, and determined members of the committee, mostly made up of members of the Lions Club of Wyoming East Gosford Centennial, are known.
“Our story began 12 years ago when the Lions Clubs hosted a women’s symposium and asked the community to bring forward projects to assist their local community,” a spokesperson said.
“A young woman, Oana McBride told the story of her dear friend and neighbour Elsie Green, who needed palliative care only to find that we did not have such a service available on the Coast.”
With going to Sydney or Newcastle the only option, Elsie’s Project attracted more than 10,000 signatures on a petition calling for a palliative care unit on the Central Coast.
On April 20, 2021, the Coast’s first unit opened at Gosford Hospital with a 12-bed ward.
“From the day of opening, it has run at just on 100 per cent capacity with wonderful care from the doctors and nurses dedicated to their patients,” the spokesperson said.
“The ward is available for all over the age of 18.
“Following the opening of Wyong Hospital’s new section the discussion began on a second Elsie’s Project being opened at Wyong Hospital.
“The NSW Government at the time was extremely supportive and in November 2022 announced a $13.6M grant to start the building of the ward at Wyong.
“Unfortunately, this was followed by an election and change of government, and the waiting time even to begin has been dragging on.
“It has been a long road of waiting and waiting for this unit to start and now we (believe) it may open by 2025-26.
“It certainly makes our work very difficult when (members of) the public constantly ask us all the difficult questions.
“We are feeling very despondent with the lack of information and empathy shown to us.”
The public forum will be held from 10-11.30am on Sunday, February 4, in the showroom at Mingara Recreation Club.
Members of both the NSW Government and Shadow Ministry have been invited to attend and hopefully give some answers.