A makeover has produced a balcony garden that’s bringing peace and tranquillity to patients, families and carers at Liverpool Hospital’s palliative care ward.
Liverpool Hospital general manager Karen McMenamin says the garden offers comfort and a sense of peace to people at the end stages of life.
“We want to do everything we can to support our patients and their loved ones and give them some of the comforts of home,’’ Ms McMenamin said.
“The balcony garden is a beautiful addition to the ward and to the first class care our palliative care team provides.
“It can make such a difference for patients to have the opportunity to sit outside surrounded by the plants or look out on to the balcony, which looks lovely.’’
Palliative medicine staff specialist Dr Thang Huynh said the transformation of the spacious balcony was impressive.
“Some of our patients are too ill to go outdoors, so the balcony is bringing the greenery of a garden to them,’’ Dr Huynh said
“We have purposely extended the renovation to the walls and ceilings of the balcony so that those patients who are bed bound can still look up to appreciate the surrounding greenery.
“I wish to thank all involved in the refurbishment of our ward balcony, and also commend all our palliative care staff that work tirelessly to ensure best care for our patients and families.”
The makeover of the palliative care balcony cost more than $52,000.
This project is one of many across 34 palliative care facilities in NSW to be refurbished over the next two years, with planning under way for additional projects from 2021.
The NSW Government committed $10 million in 2019 for palliative care facility refurbishments, as part of a $45 million enhancement over four years for palliative care, announced in the 2019-20 NSW budget.
This funding is part of the $10.1 billion the NSW Government is investing in health infrastructure over the next four years to upgrade and build 29 hospital and health facilities.
The NSW Government’s 2019-20 Budget commitment also includes recruitment of 100 new palliative care nurses, more Aboriginal Health Workers, and support for digital health to improve access to palliative care. This is in addition to the $100 million palliative care package announced in the 2017-18 Budget.
