In an historic milestone, four inpatient beds dedicated to Palliative Care have officially opened at Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Housed within the Division of Medicine, the beds are now fixtures within purpose-designed rooms delivering dignity and compassion for the complex needs of palliative care patients.
Complete with warm lighting, music connectivity, artwork, optional aromatherapy, silk pillowcases, quilts, and gowns that feel like everyday clothes, the space is thoughtfully curated to foster peace and connection for family members.
“The dedicated bed spaces are a profound step forward in how our team ministers to the needs of each patient after a long history of acute treatment, and at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives,” said Jenny Paton, Director Division of Medicine.
“What many long for is time with their family in a space that is calm, peaceful and respectful, which is difficult to achieve in the acute care setting.”
PAH Director of Palliative Care and project champion, Dr Ben Gunawan is thrilled to see a generation of vision and advocacy culminate in the launch of the dedicated beds for palliative care patients.
“Twenty years ago, as a medical student in palliative care working under Dr Mark Deuble, I asked why we don’t have inpatient palliative care beds at PAH. While I don’t remember specifically what he said, I do remember the weary sigh he gave before trying to explain why.
“Fast forward seven years and I had not long had the baton passed to me from Mark, I was sitting in the same chair, in the same office, sighing the same sigh to my medical student when I was asked that same question,” he explained.
“I am pleased to report that in 2025, that chain of sighs has been broken; and for the first time since PAH has had a Palliative Care service, we can highlight why we do have beds instead of why not.”
The opening is a testament to the dedication of clinicians, nurses, allied health professionals, operational teams, and leaders across PAH and Metro South Health. Special acknowledgement was given to those who laid the groundwork, including historical advocates Dr Mark Deuble, Prof Euan Walpole and CNC Letitia Wilson; and current champions Dr Liz Reymond, Dr Arvind Gunasekaran, and Dr Judy Flores.
“I want to acknowledge the significance of this milestone within our tertiary hospital setting for the wider community that we serve at PAH,” Jenny said.
“Palliative care is not just an adjunct service. It is essential and it embodies compassion, dignity, and humanity in healthcare.”
She said holistic palliative care is about safety, respect, listening, understanding and walking alongside patients and their families as we navigate the emotional, physical and spiritual challenges of serious illness.
Though there is still plenty of room to enhance palliative care as the PA Hospital Expansion advances to accommodate the further eight beds, Dr Gunawan and his team are optimistic about the future of the PAH service.
“We hope that having these beds is a step towards demonstrating to the rest of the hospital that they can replicate this model for end-of-life care, regardless of where they are in the building.”