Hope Cottage found a new home

The service was previously located within the new Stage 2 tower footprint but had to be relocated to facilitate construction of a second clinic building.

Hope Cottage provides accommodation for patients and visitors who travel long distances to receive critical care at Nepean Hospital or who require ongoing care.

“Hope Cottage started as a share house rented on Hope Street by the Nepean Blue Mountains Rural Health District, hence the name Hope Cottage,” says Renae, who has been the service’s manager for the past decade. Islaub says. Year.

“As the service evolved and scaled, Hope Cottage moved to the campus of Nepean Hospital.”

Opened in 2005, Nepean Hospital’s new Hope Cottage was founded through a $1.4 million fundraiser from three Rotary clubs in the area: Penrith, South Penrith/Penrith Valley, and Nepean Rotary Club. Three years ago, Rotary transferred service operations to the Nepean Blue Mountains Rural Health District.

Renae said Hope Cottage can accommodate a variety of visitors at once.

“Some people stay for one or two nights, others stay for months on end,” Renae says.

“Our primary target audience is parents of babies undergoing treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit who travel long distances to receive treatment such as chemotherapy and stay at home before returning home. Some patients need a place.”

Renae says the main benefit of relocating Hope Cottage is that it will be central to other hospital services.

“From a staff perspective, it will be closer to staff amenities and wards that receive and deliver patients’ valuables.

“It is also safer for patients. For example, a parent who needs to feed their baby in the middle of the night will no longer have to walk outside and can go to a ward in a hospital.“

Nepean Redevelopment Project Director Rebecca Cooper worked closely with Renae and her team to ensure a smooth transition to the new residence.

Rebecca says Hope Cottage guests are looking forward to a fresh new accommodation space.

“The rooms look brand new with new paint and floor finishes. They are also fully equipped with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, laundry, and free TV,” she said. “We also have a shared family room and an outdoor area for guests to use.

“Renae and her team have been excellent throughout the relocation process. We have identified solutions to continue to provide safe and affordable accommodation in

“Hearing from some of the visitors who have used this service, I strongly feel the importance of keeping the service within the hospital campus rather than relocating it to a new area outside the hospital premises. rice field.

“There are many underprivileged families in the world. All the teams involved have worked hard to ensure that Nepean Hospital continues to provide these families with on-site accommodation. It’s for the people, and it’s for me.” I think the project team should be proud of what we’ve delivered. “