Purpose-built palliative care spaces at Lithgow hospital
Lithgow Hospital has recently unveiled two purpose-built rooms designed to offer a more comforting and dignified end-of-life experience.
New palliative care rooms at Lithgow Hospital, part of the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, have been improving the quality of hospital-based end of life care for local families.
The initiative was supported through a combination of state funding and community donations.
One room has been newly constructed and another refurbished to meet and exceed modern palliative care standards.
Each room includes a private entrance, soft furnishings, a kitchenette, outdoor areas with seating, gardens, and even a BBQ.
Danell Thompson, Acting Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Lithgow Hospital, says the additions have greatly improved experiences for patients and families in emotionally difficult times.
“We had one family use the outdoor area and BBQ for a lunch before a voluntary assisted dying procedure,” says Danell, “and another stayed for a long while after a loved one’s passing, sharing food, drink and country music in reflection and celebration.”
High-level consumer engagement was instrumental in shaping the project, ensuring that the rooms meet the real needs of patients and families.
With these thoughtful upgrades, the team at Lithgow is enhancing the palliative care experience with warmth, dignity, and humanity.