Last week, MPs for Joondalup, Landsdale and Wanneroo visited the new Palliative Care Unit at Joondalup Health Campus, that has been delivered by the McGowan Labor Government.
The $1.9 million, 10-bed Palliative Care Unit admitted its first patients on 13 September this year.
Five rooms in the Unit have their own courtyard with shade sails and outdoor furniture which allows loved ones to spend quality time with patients outdoors, and the remaining rooms have views looking into landscaped gardens for peaceful reflection.
MPs Emily Hamilton, Margaret Quirk and Sabine Winton began lobbying for additional palliative care beds to be located at Joondalup Health Campus in 2017.
In 2018, following the report of the Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices, a number of recommendations were made, one of which stated that the Minister for Health should facilitate the establishment of an inpatient specialist palliative care hospice providing publicly funded beds in the northern suburbs of Perth.
Palliative care has been provided at Joondalup Health Campus for some time, with a GP-led palliative consultancy leading to a dedicated Specialist Palliative Care Consultancy Service commencing in July 2018.
Unit staff members, Tish Morrison and Dr Ellie Knight, briefly explained some of the considerations that make for the caring, nurturing environment of the ward. As well as the great work done to support patient suffering, palliative care includes providing bereavement support to a patient’s family.
Comments attributed to Emily Hamilton:
“I am committed to continued investment at the Joondalup Health Campus for families in the northern suburbs and I am pleased that this new palliative care unit has been opened ahead of the major upgrade at the hospital.
“The amazing team of doctors, nurses and staff at the unit have already cared for over 65 patients in the past three months, providing palliative care services to those facing their end of life, right here in Joondalup.”
Comments attributed to Margaret Quirk:
"Sabine, Emily and I have been lobbying for a new Palliative Care Unit for some years. I am very glad to see it has been delivered for our community.”
Comments attributed to Sabine Winton:
“It’s great to see support for families in the northern suburbs, particularly during times when they are most vulnerable. Eliminating travel time in those precious last moments with a loved ones can have a hugely positive affect on families”
“It is vitally important that we have high-quality palliative care services in the northern suburbs allowing our community to access these services closer to their home, family, and friends. I am very pleased to have worked with Emily Hamilton MLA, Member for Joondalup, and Margaret Quirk, Member for Landsdale, pushing for these upgrades at the Joondalup Health Campus.”