After moving to Hervey Bay in 2014, I was quite shocked at the lack of support there was for families for End of Life Care, and after working in Oncology for a further four years, have had so many patients and their families finding themselves having to send their loved one in the back of an ambulance to Emergency, when it just became too difficult for them to be cared for at home. Unfortunately, some of these patients do not make it to a ward or room, passing away behind a blue curtain.
In September 2018, this is exactly what happened to a particular patient I became close to, and after some frustrated tears on hearing of her death less than 48 hours later in short stay, I sat down with one of our Radiation Oncologists and shared my dream of one day wanting to build a Hospice for Fraser Coast.
Over 300 people pass away each year in Fraser Coast, just from cancers alone, with many more dying from other illnesses, and even though about 80% of these people may wish to pass away at home, research shows that only about 16% manage to do so with the support that is required.
Since then, this dream has become a reality. Through the generous support of Federal Funding, Fraser Coast Regional Council, and our amazing local community, along with the background work of very dedicated committee volunteers, 3 years later we are open and taking our first guests. Stage 1 of Fraser Coast Hospice is a 6-bed unit, equipped with large rooms, each with en-suite and veranda, as well as indoor and outdoor gardens and areas to retreat for patients and their families.
We continue as a dedicated Board of Directors, to plan for future growth and expansion and to continue to support the operations and to support our current staff and volunteers.