Australia’s first purpose-built Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Specialist Service ward has opened at Westmead Hospital, honouring a young doctor who passed away after his own struggle with CF.
At just 27-years-old, Sydney doctor Malay Rana died in 2015 following complications from the genetic condition, after dedicating his life to helping patients and his fellow CF warriors.
But a commemorative plaque at the newly opened purpose-built ward will ensure his legacy lives on.
“There are still many like Dr Malay Rana, who lost his life at just 27 years old, who need specialised services and continued research to provide quality and quantity of life,” Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Chief Executive Graeme Loy said.
“Dr Malay was a strong advocate for people living with cystic fibrosis and was dedicated to raising community awareness and campaigning for improved speciality services within NSW and now here we are today, opening this facility in his honour.”
The $65 million facility will provide “state-of-the-art care” to adults living with CF, which impacts approximately 3,600 Australians.
Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler said the ward will make a big difference to patients and their families.
“There is no cure for cystic fibrosis but treatment has come a long way, and with an improvement in treatment comes an increase in the life expectancy of people living with the condition,” Butler said.
“On average, a person with cystic fibrosis needs to be admitted to hospital once a year, which requires a high level of multidisciplinary care from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and dietitians.”
Malay’s family were involved throughout the planning and design stages of the project, providing insights to help create person-centred inpatient and outpatient services tailored to the needs of CF consumers.
The contemporary outpatient unit features 10 consultation rooms, four single rooms for day-stay patients, a procedural room and a dedicated research area for clinical trials and diagnostic services.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, who opened the facility alongside Member for Parramatta Donna Davis, said the new ward will provide more pathways for patients with cystic fibrosis to receive specialised treatment for this complex condition.
“The 16-bed inpatient unit has four airborne infection isolation rooms and a specialised outpatient unit which will make a world of difference to patients and their families, with expert staff focused on cystic fibrosis able to deliver more personalised care,” he said.
“This will also provide us with opportunities to enhance our research capabilities to better understand and treat the disease in future for those living with the condition.”
Davis added that the ward will enhance the already extensive suite of healthcare services that are available at Westmead.
“This purpose-built ward will build further on what the incredible Westmead Health Precinct already offers as a major centre for education, research, innovation and jobs,” she said.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.