Mount Druitt palliative care: 21 years young

Mount Druitt Hospital’s palliative care service has celebrated a 21 year milestone of providing comforting and heartfelt care for patients at the end of their life.

The service started with just four beds in 1998 and treated mainly cancer patients. Over the years the service has grown to 16 beds.

It provides acute care, assessment and symptom control for end-of-life care and more than 400 patients spend an average of 10 days at the unit each year.

It is housed in a nearby standalone building on the Mount Druitt Hospital site, providing a safe and comforting environment for patients and families.

While caring for people who are dying can be emotionally challenging, enrolled nurse Belinda Saddington said she is proud of the support her team provides to patients and their families.

“I really enjoy working in this unit with a great team of people,” Belinda said.

“Our patients and families are an inspiration and the job is very rewarding.”

Registered nurse Sunila Nand said the unit has ‘a homely feel’.

“Happy birthday Mount Druitt Hospital palliative care!”