Hunter Region’s First Dedicated, Private Palliative Care Unit

Toronto Private Hospital, a member of the Healthe Care Group, has opened the first dedicated Palliative Care Unit in the greater Hunter Region. The unit, which offers 10 beds and is staffed by specially trained Palliative Care nurses, is led by renowned Palliative Care Physician, Dr Susan Newton and General Practitioner, Dr Fiona Boyd.

Palliative Care is an approach to care that aims to improve the quality of life of patients (and their families or caregivers) when faced with the problems associated with having a life-limiting illness. Palliative Care and Palliative Medicine aim to prevent and relieve suffering by the early identification, assessment, and treatment of symptoms (for example pain, shortness of breath, nausea) as well as other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems.

Dr Susan Newton has worked as a Palliative Care Physician for over 20 years and is passionate about leading the way with a range of Palliative Care options. “I believe that people with life-limiting illness deserve meticulous attention to symptom management (to relieve suffering); open, honest and inclusive communication; easy access to expertise and assistance from a wide range of health professionals; and the knowledge and assurance that they will be cared for, according to their wishes.”

“Palliative Care is not limited to the last 12 months of a person’s life: the need for palliative care may be episodic over an extended period, depending on the illness. This contrasts with ‘end-of-life care’ which recognises that the person is likely to die in the next 12 months, or in the shorter term, within days to weeks.”

Toronto Private CEO, Mr Jason Thomas, has been working with the wider community to ensure the service developed will meet the needs of the community. “Palliative Care at Toronto Private Hospital is provided by a group of very experienced health care professionals in beautiful surroundings. Care of people with life limiting disease is both a priority and a privilege for the dedicated staff who work at TPH.”

“It is also comforting for those patients who are earlier in their journey as they have access to a range of our physical rehabilitation programs as well as mental health services to provide a complete service. No other private facility in this region is able to do that,” said Mr Thomas.