For the first time the Central Coast will have a dedicated Palliative Care Unit with the NSW Government today committing to establish the new service at Gosford Hospital.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said it is critical that families facing the death of a loved one have more choices and greater access to high quality care.
“I know that people across the Central Coast, and especially the wonderful community campaign led by the Elsie’s Retreat Committee, have been calling for an inpatient service for some time. That’s why it has been a personal priority for me and for the NSW Government to find a way of enhancing palliative care options right across the Central Coast,” Mr Crouch said.
“For many families – including my own – palliative care is an incredibly sensitive issue. The least we can do as a community and as a Government is create the best facilities in a hospital setting.
“The new indoor and outdoor spaces will transform palliative services for patients, families and carers. It is so important that we create the right environment where there is not only the best care but the surroundings are sympathetic too.”
Mr Crouch said the NSW Government’s commitment to improved health services made this investment possible.
“The new Palliative Care Unit at Gosford Hospital builds on a record $100 million investment in palliative care in the 2017 NSW Budget, as well as the commitment in 2019 of eight new palliative care nurses for our community,” Mr Crouch said.
This funding is part of the $10.1 billion the NSW Government is investing in health infrastructure over the next four years to upgrade and build 29 hospital and health facilities.
Planning for the new Palliative Care Unit is currently underway. A construction contract will be tendered shortly and work will begin in late 2020.
