Hospice opens up

By Tania Martin
EMERALD’S long awaited palliative care day unit was officially opened last week after more than five years of extensive lobbying.
Fernlea House will provide palliative care for people with life threatening illnesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.
The vision for a palliative care unit in the hills was born around the kitchen table of Fernlea House president Jan Lancaster five years ago.
Ms Lancaster had the idea for the unit, which she shared with a small group of women.
The idea then grew to become a project that was supported by federal members of parliament and the community.
Fernlea volunteer Glenis Francis said in the beginning the group had no money and, with no way of raising money, the group campaigned to get what is now the first palliative day care unit in the hills.
Mrs Francis said the group lobbied La Trobe MP Jason Wood, who said he got involved in the project because his father had a terminal illness.
At that stage Mr Wood was not a member of parliament.
Mr Wood said after being elected he told state opposition health spokesman David Davis about Fernlea, who also thought it was a worthwhile cause.
“I then met with the health minister, Tony Abbott, and pleaded with Prime Minister John Howard to help the Fernlea project along,” he said.
In May, Planning Minister Rob Hulls approved a permit to allow for works to be undertaken on the house that would eventually become the Fernlea House palliative day care unit.
Fernlea House was awarded $800,000 in funding from the Federal Government in June.
Mr Wood said this was the first time that the Federal Government had funded a regional unit as it was usually the responsibility of the State Government.
Mr Wood said he would continue to push for Federal Government funding for Fernlea.
Fernlea guest John Mailer, 86, of Bayswater lives with his step-son and will attend Fernlea to give his carers a break and to enjoy the social interaction with other guests.
Mr Mailer said Fernlea House was great facility and that he enjoyed the scenery on offer.
He said that he was not very active any more and that Fernlea House would give him the opportunity to interact with people in a similar situation to himself.