The Orange community is being invited to provide their feedback on the planning and design of the expanded Palliative Care Unit being delivered at Orange Health Service, with an online community survey launched today.
Regional Health Minister Ryan Park said the new unit at Orange Health Service is part of the NSW Government’s $93 million World Class End of Life Care program to redevelop and refurbish palliative care units across the state.
“The feedback from the community survey will help shape the Palliative Care Unit’s design, ensuring the expansion can support more people requiring palliative or end-of-life care in the Central West,” Mr Park said.
“Expanding services at Orange Health Service will also provide the community with more choice to suit their individual circumstances and health needs, ensuring patients can receive palliative and end of life care closer to home and their loved ones.”
Member for Orange Phil Donato said consultation is vital to ensure the expanded palliative care unit meets the needs of the Orange community.
“I’ve long advocated for the expansion of the palliative care unit at Orange Health Service and I’m very pleased to see progress,” Mr Donato said.
“It’s important we get this done right. Community feedback on the design and planning is incredibly important and I urge people to share their views to make sure Orange receives the palliative care services we need.”
Orange Hospital General Manager, Catherine Nowlan said community feedback is essential to create end-of-life care services that meet the health needs of the community well into the future.
“This is an opportunity for people to have their say about an important health service. I encourage people living in and around Orange to complete the survey to support our delivery of the highest quality end of life care,” Ms Nowlan said.
The masterplan for the Orange Palliative Care enhancement provides for the three-bed expansion on Level 1, in addition to the existing two-palliative care beds on the ground floor.
Construction of the additional dedicated palliative care beds and support spaces will commence in 2024 following further design and consultation processes with staff, patients and the community.
The online survey can be accessed via the Western NSW Local Health District website and will be open until 22 December 2023.
The NSW Government’s $93 million World Class End of Life Care program also includes new and expanded units at Westmead, Nepean, Wyong and Tamworth hospitals.