Patients, family members, carers and staff will benefit from the newly completed expansion of Clare Holland House, providing improved spaces for patient and staff to work and gather.
The $6 million expansion funded by the Commonwealth Government and The Snow Foundation, and delivered by the ACT Government, provides an additional eight palliative care inpatient beds enabling palliative care for an additional 250 patients a year.
Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said the expansion will boost palliative care services for the region as our community continues to grow and demand for palliative care increases.
"Canberrans deserve to have access to the best end of life care possible. We are blessed to have the dedicated and passionate staff here at Clare Holland House delivering world-class care, out of a place of genuine compassion."
"More Australians will require palliative care as our population grows and ages, and the $4 million contribution by the Australian Government to this expansion will mean more Canberrans, and people from across our region, will be able to access the care they need close to their loved ones," Senator Seselja said.
ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the expansion not only increases the capacity of Clare Holland House, but it also provides spaces for patients and their loved ones to spend time together.
"Clare Holland House provides care in some of the hardest times of a person's life and when a family may be saying goodbye to their loved one.
"This expansion includes improved spaces for family members to spend with their loved ones, including a new family lounge, private courtyards and spaces for family to stay overnight.
"Improved clinical spaces and nurse stations will support staff to continue delivering exceptional care to patients," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The Snow Foundation Founder and Chair Terry Snow AM said the foundation's $2 million donation towards the expansion is one of the largest single donations made in its 30 years' existence.
"Our Foundation and our family have a deep commitment to the Canberra community. We are thrilled to see this new wing to Clare Holland House complete, which will expand the world-class palliative care services to more people in the Canberra region.
"We acknowledge the contributions of others to this special expansion – so far $30,000 has been donated through a community fundraiser enabled by Hands Across Canberra, Calvary and ourselves.
"We know many people have a strong emotional connection to Clare Holland House and you can still contribute to the community fundraiser for the extra touches – furnishings, landscaping, and gardens – that will help create this special expanded home for patients and their friends and family."
Barb Reid, Calvary Health Care ACT Regional CEO said "The additional patient rooms, family lounge and stunning landscaped grounds will enable us to care for and support palliative care patients and those close to them throughout their treatment and care.
"This project has been an exemplary collaboration between the Territory and the Commonwealth, the Snow Foundation and Calvary.
"As we consider fresh thinking and innovative methods to meet Australia's increasing demand for health services, I believe this project is a model for future successful partnerships.
"The first work of the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary in the late 1800s was the care of the dying. Contemporary palliative care has expanded far beyond that, and we are privileged and proud that Clare Holland House is recognised as a leader in palliative care services and research."
Community Fundraiser:
https://giving.handsacrosscanberra.org.au/clare-holland-house-community-fundraiser
