Mount Druitt Palliative Care Unit, renowned for its exceptional care, has just been improved through the addition of a ‘cuddle bed’.
The purchase of the specialised bed, valued at $24,500, was funded through the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program and the Better Foundation.
Health Minister Ryan Park visited the Western Sydney centre, joined by local Mount Druitt MP, Edmond Atalla, who organised the donation.
“Palliative care brings humanity and dignity for both patients and the people who love them,” Minister Ryan said.
“It was a privilege to help fund a new state of the art ‘Cuddle Bed’ for their unit, that can be adjusted by patients with ease and allow loved ones to be physically close with each other,” Minister Ryan said.
The Minister spoke with attentive staff, who were eager to showcase their brilliant treatment and second-to-none quality of care.
Local MP Edmond Atalla understands the impact of care, especially at the end-of-life stage.
“The new cuddle bed at the Mt Druitt Hospital Palliative Care Unit brings warmth and closeness to families during life’s most difficult moments,” Edmond said.
“It offers a sense of home in a place where it’s needed most,” Edmond said.
His connection to the centre is very much a personal one, with his own mother receiving palliative care at the same centre some time ago.
“The cuddle bed at Mt Druitt Hospital Palliative Care Unit offers families the precious gift of closeness, allowing them to share comfort and connection in their loved one’s final moments,” Edmond Atalla said.
The ‘cuddle bed’ is one of the ways connection is at the heart of care and comfort.
The patient controls and bed lowering capacity promotes autonomy and independence by allowing the patient more control and greater independence where able.
The bed extender widens the bed to allow more space for family members to lay together, a simple but priceless joy.
The Better Foundation Chair Emeritus Professor Peter Zelas AM said, “We are deeply grateful to the Member for Mount Druitt, Mr Edmond Atalla MP and the Health Minister Ryan Park for their support of the Foundation and Mount Druitt Hospital”.
“The cuddle bed is a priceless gift for families and their loved ones receiving end-of-life care at the Palliative Care Unit at Mount Druitt Hospital”, Peter said.
“Family members can snuggle with their loved one who is receiving end-of-life care, and they can provide each other with physical and emotional comfort,” Peter said.
The state-of-the-art cuddle bed comes with an inbuilt weight scale, a multi-level fall prevention system, and many other user-friendly features.
The cuddle bed was made possible thanks to the kindness and generosity of donors, organised by the Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital Foundation.
Help us continue creating spaces like The Better Foundation and support more families across the hospital.
Please consider making a donation to Better Foundation: Better Foundation – Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals.