After a two year-long public community campaign, Western Sydney Local Health District
will look to reopen the Westmead Hospital Palliative Care Unit, following recommendations of an independent review.
The news comes as a surprise to the dedicated advocates who have fought for its re-establishment and championed the importance of end of life care.
Following the closure of its Supportive and Palliative Care Unit in 2009, Westmead Hospital has some dedicated palliative care beds inside its cancer ward, however these can be allocated to other types of patients as needed.
Patients are otherwise transferred to Mt Druitt Hospital’s Palliative Care Ward.
The Westmead Push for Palliative Care group, formed two years ago and led by former WSLHD Palliative Care Director, Dr Phillip Lee, have stressed the importance of a stand alone palliative care ward for more complex cases that require specialised treatment and believe Westmead, as a major training hospital, should be the benchmark for such care.
Advocacy group member Caroline Raunjak said campaign members are celebrating the good news.
“My response to the news initially was shock, almost disbelief,” she said.
“After many years of advocating for this ward, it will come to fruition.
“Finally the largest health precinct in NSW and the people of western Sydney, who deserve this, will have more palliative care beds available for them.”
The future appeared grim earlier this year when Health Minister Brad Hazzard
denied the need for the ward, despite pleas from health professionals and community
leaders.
However, following a parliamentary petition sponsored by Parramatta MP Geoff Lee, Mr Hazzard requested in March that WSLHD investigate the need to re-establish the ward.
This sparked an independent review of WSLHD’s Palliative Care services, in which Parra News understands has recommended that the ward be reopened.
Whilst it is understood WSLHD Chief Executive Graeme Loy confirmed they will do just that at the Westmead Hospital Medical Staff Council AGM, details, timeline and funding are yet to be announced.
“Our priority is to ensure the people of western Sydney have access to health services which work for them now, and in the future,” a WSLHD spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added it was “premature to comment on future service provision while the palliative care services review is ongoing”.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.