A new day hospice has opened at Kalamunda Hospital, offering palliative care patients and their carers crucial respite and support for their physical, emotional and social needs.
Based on a model of therapeutic care combined with social support, the hospice is open to patients who are being cared for at home but could benefit from additional support, as they manage a life-limiting illness.
The refurbished day hospice incorporates therapy rooms, an outpatient room, new toilets, a café-style kitchenette and a social room, which opens up to the native garden and surrounding Darling Scarp.
The hospice can care for ten patients each day and is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of nurses, allied health professionals and volunteers.
Nestled in the Perth Hills, Kalamunda Hospital has been an integral part of the local community since 1973 and has recently become a specialist palliative care inpatient service.
The McGowan Government's $9.5 million redevelopment project will position the hospital as a centre of excellence in palliative care, improving the service for patients, their families and carers.
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"It is vital that all Western Australians can access best practice medical care at every stage of their patient journey.
"Kalamunda Hospital's new day hospice offers a model of therapeutic care for patients who are being cared for at home but could benefit from additional support, as they manage a life-limiting illness.
"The redevelopment of Kalamunda Hospital will ensure more Western Australians will have access to high-quality end-of-life palliative care, and the works will enhance the environment for patients and their families."
As stated by Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes:
"I am very pleased to see the staged plan for the redevelopment of Kalamunda Hospital's palliative care facilities coming to fruition with the completion of the day hospice.
"The day hospice and other scheduled enhancements of the Palliative Care Unit at Kalamunda Hospital will do so much to improve the experience of patients and family and further the delivery of compassionate end-of-life care in our community."
