The NSW Government is proud to be delivering Australia’s first dedicated hospice for young people across NSW

 

Background

The $19.5 million Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) will be Australia’s first dedicated service for young people with life-limiting illness. The service will be for 15 to 24-year-old patients with life-limiting illness and will offer respite care, symptom management and end of life care.

Located on the former Manly Hospital site on the North Head headland, the AYAH will provide specialised care for families, including bereavement support and counselling. The hospice will be surrounded by national parks, bushland and environmental conservation areas, providing a natural and peaceful setting for young people and their families.

The Manly AYAH development has been made possible through generous donations from the community and funding committed by the Australian and NSW Governments. This partnership will continue once the hospice’s doors open, with the NSW Government committing $2 million per year towards operating costs and supporting ongoing community fundraising.

The Manly AYAH will be available to all young people in NSW with life-limiting illness, regardless of where they are located. The service will provide specialised support for rural and regional patients and limit their need to travel long distances. Construction of the AYAH is now complete and it will open to patients in February 2023. 

 

Benefits

The project will:

• Deliver specialised care tailored to young people and their unique needs
• Provide dedicated and professional support for families
• Reduce the need for extensive travel for rural patients
• Focus on privacy, respite and recreation
• Be a catalyst for further end-of-life care services for young people across Australia.

 

Updated design

Health Infrastructure is working closely with the Northern Sydney Local Health District and expert clinicians to deliver the hospice.

Following further consultation with key stakeholders, the schematic design for the Manly AYAH has been updated to provide a greater level of care and patient experience tailored for this age group.

The updated design will provide:

• Eight bedrooms for patients, each with an ensuite and outdoor balcony
• Two Carers lounges ​
  
• Two family accommodation units with two bedrooms each
• On-site dedicated kitchen and dining room
• Breakout spaces including lounge room, games room, media room, multisensory room, quiet room and sitting rooms
• Laundry for families staying overnight
• Outdoor balcony of the lounge room with views over the harbour
• Garden and landscaping areas, including spaces for outdoor activities
• Telehealth consult spaces.