The Winter 2019 Friends of Northern Beaches Palliative Care Newsletter headlines this week with
'We're Underway!' in capital letters.
The article reads:
“We’re underway” came the message from Rob Stokes’ office. Construction has finally started on the goal, on the dream that has been almost thirty years in the making. Industrious shovels and trucks are removing the helicopter pad from which will emerge the inpatient Palliative Care unit where Northern Beaches patients with life-limiting illness may receive complete specialist care.
The quest began in October 1999 when NBPC founder, Dr John Doran, established the PC community service on the campus of MVDH. From the beginning it was his plan to include inpatient care but fruition was encumbered despite strong, loyal, ongoing support from the local community. At one time it was so near and yet so far—given then rescinded.
Our archives store the memory of a Manly Daily photo taken 21 February 1995 and the accompanying article that announced $2million for a 12 bed hospice. We cherish the image of Medical Director Dr Philip Macaulay leaping for joy at the news (heightened by the birth, only hours earlier, of precious daughter Sally).
Gratitude and exhilaration for the hospice were short-lived when the decision was revoked. But the dream was never extinguished. Meanwhile the original hospice trust fund, established in 1992, added clinic facilities to the existing service.
A precipitating move came in June 2014, when a motivated group of peninsular citizens formed the NBPC Inpatient Facility Working Group. Supported by Rob Stokes and Pittwater Council they began to lobby in earnest and eventually achieved NSW Health agreement to construct a ten bed Palliative Care unit attached to a ten bed specialist inpatient geriatric unit.
Recently Dr Macaulay returned to the Northern Beaches after decades of service to Sydney metropolitan PC hospitals. In the recent photo he demonstrates the bird’s eye view of daily progress as the facility rises adjacent to the clinic.
Earlier this year an additional $10 million was allocated to ensure the design and fit-out will be of highest standard and comfort. Completion is anticipated in mid 2020. Then, embraced by the Northern Beaches culture, people will receive optimal specialist care beside the ocean and close to their loved ones at a time when togetherness is ultimately important. Dear ones will be near ones.
We express an endless amount of appreciation to all who, over thirty years, have contributed to this achievement.
Jo-Ann Steeves
BA, MMgt, FIML
President, Friends of Northern Beaches Palliative Care branch United Hospital Auxiliaries NSW Inc
