Nepean Hospital partners with Art Gallery of NSW to enhance palliative care experience
Reproductions of artworks from the Art Gallery of New South Wales collection will feature throughout Nepean Hospital’s new palliative care unit, in a new partnership between the Art Gallery and hospital.
The new palliative care unit at Nepean Hospital is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $93 million World Class End of Life Care program, which is redeveloping and refurbishing palliative care facilities across NSW.
Developed in partnership with the Art Gallery and Palliative Care NSW, the Pause Palliative Care Program uses art to support patients, carers, families and staff by inviting conversation, connection and reflection prompted by imagery in the artworks.
Health Infrastructure, Executive Director Amanda Bock said the program will see 15 framed reproductions from the Art Gallery’s collection displayed across the unit’s 12 single bedrooms, two meeting rooms and one staff office. “This is a meaningful initiative, which complements the new palliative care facilities we are delivering, ensuring patients and their families can receive quality end-of-life care closer to home,” Bock said.
Carefully selected in collaboration with clinicians, community members, arts specialists and members of the hospital’s Arts Working Group, the collection includes landscapes connected to the Nepean region, such as Penleigh Boyd’s The Three Sisters (1914) and Elioth Gruner’s Spring frost (1919), alongside a group of still life artworks.
Together, these tranquil scenes and intimate compositions encourage conversation about nature, the environment, journeys and sensory experiences, offering gentle opportunities to spark memories, share stories, imagine and pause. These artworks help create time and space to reflect on what, and who, matters most in moments of care.
Art Gallery of New South Wales Director Maud Page, said it was proud to partner with Nepean Hospital’s new palliative care unit to share works from the Art Gallery’s collection in a space where compassion, dignity and connection are central.
“As one of Australia’s leading public art museums, we firmly believe in the power of art to enrich lives, foster connection and support wellbeing,” Page said.
“Through the Pause Palliative Care Program, we hope these artworks will offer moments of reflection, spark conversations, and provide comfort for patients, families and the dedicated staff who care for them.”
The artworks also include accompanying text to encourage observation, mindful reflection and discussion, helping to foster connections between patients, families, carers and staff.
Linda Ora, Nepean Hospital Supportive and Palliative Care Manager said the arts program for the new facility will improve the patient and carer experiences as well as support staff wellbeing.
“This investment in art at Nepean Hospital’s new palliative care unit will enhance the holistic care we provide to our patients, their families and carers, and the art collection will have a significant impact on our local community,” Ora said.
Arts in health experiences are an integral part of all NSW Health capital projects to reflect each region’s dynamic community and create a welcoming and supportive environment for patients, families and staff.
Located on Level 7 of the new Nepean Hospital building, the new palliative care unit will feature large single and double bedrooms with ensuites, rooftop courtyard, and family-oriented shared spaces designed to create a supportive, comfortable, and inclusive environment for patients, families and carers.
As part of the arts program, the Art Gallery will also deliver a professional development workshop for Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District palliative care staff, introducing approaches and strategies that use art to spark conversations, navigate difficult discussions and create space for exploring what matters most in care.
The workshop aligns with the NSW Health and Arts Framework 2024-2032, building staff capability to use arts-based approaches that support compassionate and person-centred care.
Construction of the new palliative care unit is being delivered as part of Stage 2 of the more than $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment and is expected to be completed in late 2026, following a comprehensive operational commissioning period.
