By Natasha Fujimoto
PROVIDING invaluable care, dignity and choice for people in the community who are experiencing life-limiting disease or terminal illness, GV Hospice Care’s new, state-of-the-art palliative care hub has officially opened and is ready to service patients and families in need.
A beautifully designed, fit-for-purpose centre, the 5.4M dollar hub features new clinics, consulting rooms for patients to meet with specialised staff as well as space for telehealth sessions and private moments to share with family.
With a purpose-made service area, featuring a lift, free medical equipment for patients which can be easily dispersed and stored, while onsite, overnight accommodation for nurses provides unique, 24-hour accessibility to care.
Standing in one of the hushed specialist suits, GV Hospice Care committee president, Jeanette Powell was effusive about the extraordinary support the new hub had received.
“This important and beautiful facility was born from the generosity and support of Hospice and the community.
“Our official launch today is recognition of all that work with this wonderful building bringing together all our staff, clinicians and volunteers under the one roof for the first time,” Jeanette said.
Focused on personalised patient care and comfort, the new hub also provides greater opportunity for patients to consult with their specialists in a supported, non-threatening environment.
“We provide telehealth sessions where a patient can sit with one of our nurses and talk to their oncologist in Melbourne. Patients can talk about treatment, and about their future. It takes away the uncertainty of not knowing what’s going to happen and what the treatment will be,” Jeanette said.
