A new palliative care room opening on to a “Harmony Garden” is the key feature of a NSW Government upgrade of palliative care facilities at Casino Hospital, which will provide a more thoughtful and comfortable environment for patients and their families and carers, according to Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis.
“This is part of a $263,000 investment in palliative care facilities in the Northern NSW Local Health District and will deliver a new dedicated space to provide personal care to community members and their families,” Mr Gulaptis said.
New features include two new Smartplus beds with specially-designed mattress covers to prevent pressure injuries and a shower chair to allow patients to lie in different positions while being washed.
There will also be two new lounges that convert to beds for family members or carers staying overnight, better facilities in the room including tea and coffee making and new interior decorating to improve the comfort and reduce the feeling of a hospital setting by hiding equipment away out of sight.
The Harmony Garden was upgraded to create a more welcoming, all-weather outdoor space for patients and relatives off the Palliative Care area. Including new comfortable outdoor setting, BBQ, waterproof awnings.
Ellen Palmer, the Director of Nursing at Casino & District Memorial Hospital acknowledged the generous contribution and support from the Casino community in what has been a difficult period for the township and surrounding areas with the bushfires and COVID-19.
“The community raised $8,000 towards the palliative care upgrades, and throughout the process the health service and the community forged closer ties. Thank you to the Casino community for their outstanding support,” Ms Palmer said.