The NSW Government has confirmed a new children’s hospice will be built in Western Sydney within The Children’s Hospital at Westmead to support children and young people with life-limiting illness and their families.
The hospice – the second of its kind in the state – will provide a home-like environment where children can receive respite, symptom management, and end of life care.
The Government will contribute more than $20 million to the project. The Mounties Group will contribute $13 million over 10 years through the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation. The gift marks the largest, single contribution SCHF has ever received.
“It is a privilege to be able to offer a second dedicated paediatric hospice to support children, young people, and their families in their greatest time of need,” said Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Chief Executive, Cathryn Cox PSM.
“We are committed to working closely with staff and families to create an environment where patients can enjoy time together with their loved ones while receiving the best possible care.”
Located in Western Sydney, the new hospice will be called ‘Mounties Care Cottage’ and is inspired by Sydney boy, Rio Fowler, and the work of Rio’s Legacy.
Rio was diagnosed with a rare and terminal condition called arterial vasculopathy disease at 16-months-old. Rio and his family spent time at the children’s hospice, Bear Cottage in Manly, part of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN), for end-of-life care before he died in 2018.
Following his death, Rio’s parents, Ryan and Karen founded Rio’s Legacy, a charity dedicated to supporting families and children with life-limiting conditions and advocating for services like Bear Cottage.
“For my wife Karen and I, our son Rio has always been our inspiration,” said Mr Fowler.
“As a bereaved father, championing these extraordinary children, their stories, and supporting families facing the unimaginable challenge of living with a child with a life-limiting illness has been the driving force behind our efforts. It’s truly humbling to witness the support of so many people coming together to bring such a place to life.
“We firmly believe that all children are fearfully and wonderfully made, and Mounties Care Cottage will be a place where children come to live and not just to die; to enjoy their beautiful lives no matter how short or long,” he said.
“This is an incredibly important project for Western Sydney, which will provide a crucial support for children and their families from the local area, and beyond,” said NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park.
“Mounties Care Cottage in western Sydney will be an important part of this service network for children and families, offering increased choice for families across the state during what will be a very difficult time in their lives.”
The new hospice will build on the comprehensive and supportive care Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) offers through Bear Cottage and will offer care to families from across NSW.
“Mounties Group is so proud to continue its advocacy and support for Greater Western Sydney families with terminally ill children to access to specialist paediatric palliative care in their local area,” said Mounties Group Chief Executive Officer, Dale Hunt.
“Mounties Care Cottage will truly make a difference in these families’ lives by providing a peaceful environment where they can stay together as they go through these extremely difficult moments, close to the local creature comforts they love.”
Planning and design for the dedicated paediatric hospice is set to commence this year.
