- $21 million allocated for the commissioning and operation of WA's first children's hospice
- The funding will support the hospice to become fully operational soon after construction and commissioning is completed this year
- The vital service will support WA families during a difficult and challenging time
- The hospice is being delivered in partnership with the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
More than $20 million in operational funding for Western Australia's first children's hospice has been allocated as the service edges closer to completion.
Construction of the Sandcastles Children's Hospice (Boodja Mia) is progressing well with key structural works on the ground floor and basement now complete.
The hospice will become a crucial part of our public health system, supporting WA children and young people with life-limiting conditions and helping to improve their quality of life, as they face unimaginable challenges.
The service, located in Swanbourne, has been designed to be warm and welcoming. It will have seven home-like guest bedrooms, a bereavement suite, three family suites, therapeutic rooms, a hydrotherapy pool and family spaces.
The hospice will be staffed 24/7 and provide outreach and family support services for families no matter where they live across WA.
The funding will support the commissioning and operation of the hospice, so it can open as soon as possible after construction is complete this year.
Sandcastles Children's Hospice is being delivered in partnership with the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"The Sandcastles Children's Hospice will make a profound difference for WA children and their families during some of the most challenging times of their lives.
"This $21 million funding commitment ensures the hospice will have the staff and resources it needs to open this year.
"It's fantastic to see construction progressing well, and I look forward to the day this facility is ready to provide care and comfort to children, their families, and loved ones."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"This service is about ensuring WA children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families, have access to the wraparound care and support they need, in the most comfortable environment possible.
"The Child and Adolescent Health Service will be working with the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation to ensure the hospice is up and running soon after construction, when commissioning is completed.
"There are many families who will benefit from the support of this service, and we look forward to opening this safe and welcoming space to provide respite in their time of need."
As stated by Planning and Lands Minister John Carey:
"Our government made the bold decision to excise the land from the City of Nedlands to allow the hospice and a public park to progress, benefitting children, families and the wider community.
"This significant investment builds on those decisions and will help set the facility up for success."
