An extra 250 patients each year will be able to access palliative care during their final days, following the expansion of Clare Holland House. The facility's multi-million dollar expansion was opened following a ceremony on Friday.
The $6 million project led to the addition of eight extra inpatient beds, along with more space for family members to stay alongside their loved one, including a family lounge and private courtyard.
The expansion now means Clare Holland House will have 27 inpatient beds for people to receive palliative care.
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the expansion allowed for patients and families to spend more time together.
"Clare Holland House provides care in some of the hardest times of a person's life and when a family may be saying goodbye to their loved one," she said.
"Improved clinical spaces and nurse stations will support staff to continue delivering exceptional care to patients."
Of the $6 million spent on expanding Clare Holland House, $4 million of it came from federal government funding, while the remaining $2 million was a donation from the Snow Foundation. The foundation's founder and chair Terry Snow said it was the largest single donation made by the group in its 30-year history.
"We're thrilled to see this new wing complete, which will expand the world-class palliative care services to more people in the Canberra region," he said.
