Palliative care sanctuary underway at VMCH

VMCH has commenced the $8.8 million construction of the 22-bed palliative care facility O’Neill Comfort Care Centre in Prahran, Victoria.

The project involves development involves repurposing VMCH’s non-operational facility O’Neill Aged Care Residence.

VMCH will work with healthcare provider Cabrini Health and the community to provide  support for people in their final stage of life.

VMCH CEO Sonya Smart said the goals was  to deliver excellence in end of life care. 

“A Comfort Care Centre offers people options and ensures that at this important time of their life, they can be supported in a homelike environment. We can then care for their physical and spiritual wellbeing, as well as ensuring their family and loved ones can spend valuable, quality time together.

“Our aim is to ease the burden for our people and their families. We also want to reduce the need for emergency department presentations and deaths during transfers to and from services.”

Ms Smart said all spaces would  be designed to create  relaxing, and comfortable environment.

“It will be well lit, especially through natural light. The bedrooms will be designed to enable families and friends to stay overnight, either within the resident’s room or in a dedicated family apartment,” she said.

The building will provide privacy and support intimate family interactions as well as provide space for larger family gatherings, Ms Smart said.

“This building will be a sanctuary for the person dying and their families and friends.”

The facility  is being built by Richmond-based construction company Bowden Corporation and is expected to open in early 2021.

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