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) is Australia’s first dedicated service for young people with life-limiting illness. The service is for 16 to 30-year-old patients with life-limiting illness and offers respite care, symptom management and end of life care.

Located on the former Manly Hospital site on the North Head headland, the AYAH provides specialised care for families, including bereavement support and counselling. The hospice is 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. The NSW Government provides $2 million per year towards operating costs and it is also supported by ongoing community fundraising.

The Manly AYAH is available to all young people in NSW with life-limiting illness, regardless of where they are located. The service provides specialised support for rural and regional patients and limit their need to travel long distances. Construction of the AYAH was completed late 2022 and it opened to patients in February 2023. 

 

Benefits

The project:

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

 

Updated design

Health Infrastructure worked closely with the Northern Sydney Local Health District and expert clinicians to deliver the AYAH.

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

The updated design provided:

• 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.