‘A long road to dignity’

Editor of the CWD Nick McGrath wrote this article for the CWD Weekend edition 21-22nd March 2026

The long road to dignity: how 11 years of 'pushing' transformed palliative care in Orange

It has been 11 years since a group of determined locals sat in a community meeting in 2015 and decided that good enough was no longer acceptable for the dying in Orange.

On Monday, as the morning sun hit the expansive glass of the new inpatient palliative care unit at Orange Health Service, that decade-long "push" finally found its peace.

For Jenny Hazelton, president of Orange Push for Palliative (OP4P), the walk-through of the nearly completed space was more than a technical inspection. It was an emotional homecoming.

"To be here tangibly, to achieve this ... it has been a really emotional moment," Mrs Hazelton said, her voice thick with the weight of the journey.

"I could not have comprehended we would have this much space. It is beautiful. It is wonderful."

From four-bed wards to world-class sanctuaries

The transformation is, by any clinical standard, staggering.The new unit features three purpose-built bedrooms that are 30 per cent larger than standard hospital rooms.

But the real shift isn't in the square footage; it's in the soul of the space. Unlike the sterile, often claustrophobic environment of a standard ward, these rooms are designed to provide a space that prioritises human dignity.

"The need was always there, but patients were not in spaces suitable for them," Mrs Hazelton explains.

"They should not be cared for in four-bed or two-bed wards. They should have privacy and dignity, surrounded by their families."

The design features floor-to-ceiling glass and a courtyard that can be opened to the elements - a rarity in modern hospitals where windows are often sealed.For a patient in their final days, the ability to smell the rain, feel the wind, or see the sun over the old golf course at the former country club is a profound gift.

The political will behind the 'push'

While the project is a community triumph, Mrs Hazelton is adamant it required a "united voice" to move from a dream to a construction site.

That voice found its megaphone in Member for Orange, Phil Donato.

"The big change was Phil," she said. "When he came into office, he backed us from the start. He took this to all levels of government and set up a task force that is still in effect today. It allowed us to start planning together with all the major players speaking with one voice."

That advocacy ensured Orange was included in the NSW Government's $93 million World Class End of Life Care program.

Supported by Health Minister Ryan Park, the initiative provided the backbone of funding that allowed for architecturally designed rooms where medical equipment is concealed, harsh lights are replaced with dimmers, and the atmosphere feels more like a home than an institution

A unified mission: support from the top

The completion of the construction marks a significant milestone for the Minns Labor Government, with Minister for Health Ryan Park highlighting the expansion as a "significant investment in compassionate care".

"The Minns Government is committed to ensuring people with life-limiting illnesses receive high quality end-of-life care at the right time, and in the right place," Minister Park said. "These modern, purpose-built spaces will help provide comfort, dignity and support during what can be an extremely difficult time."

For Mr Donato, the project represents the fulfilment of a long-standing promise to his constituents. He noted the expansion provides the "greater capability" needed to meet the increasing needs of the community.

"I have passionately advocated and lobbied for the return of inpatient palliative care services to Orange Health Service," Mr Donato said.

"I wish to acknowledge the dedication of Orange Push for Palliative, who are to be credited with not only making this revived ward a reality, but for making it such a supportive and peaceful space for families and their loved ones".

A community's signature

If the government provided the bones of the building, the community of Western NSW provided its heart. The "extras" that make the unit unique are the result of the generosity of many.

The rooms feature "cuddle beds" - large enough for a partner or child to climb in beside their loved one - two of which were funded directly by the Ministry of Health following the community's advocacy.

Meanwhile, local quilt makers from Orange, Millthorpe, and Lucknow have handcrafted 30 individual quilts to ensure no patient feels like just another number in a system.

The walls themselves tell a story of belonging. From a stunning mural by local Aboriginal artist Sandon Gibbs-O'Neill to a whimsical children's corner illustrated by Freya Blackwood, the unit is a gallery of local love.

"The community has been 100 per cent behind this since 2015," Mrs Hazelton said.

"People who have viewed it are just blown away. It's warm, it's friendly, and it's not institutional at all."

What comes next?

With five dedicated beds now secured, the focus shifts to staffing and longevity. The World Class initiative has brought funding for additional staff and Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) positions to ensure the care matches the quality of the facility.

As the unit prepares to open its doors to patients in the next two to three weeks, the OP4P group isn't hanging up their hats just yet.

They will continue to support the palliative care wings, ensuring the momentum of the last 11 years isn't lost.