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Mona Vale Hospital Opens New Palliative Care Unit

Mona Vale Hospital has officially opened its palliative care unit for patients with serious illnesses, allowing them to receive better healthcare while simultaneously being closer to friends and family. Mona Vale is the first suburb to have a specialised palliative care unit available in the Northern Beaches.

On the 4th of February, 2021, the Mona Vale Hospital opened its all-new purpose-built Palliative Care and Geriatric Evaluation and Management building.

Palliative care refers to specialised medical care for people with serious illnesses, providing them with relief from the symptoms and stress of their respective afflictions. Thus, patients in palliative care require specialised care that caters to both their physical and emotional needs.

The Mona Vale palliative care unit was constructed as part of the New South Wales’ Government’s multi-million dollar investment into palliative care and the reduction of avoidable hospital admissions. As of March 2021, the state government has invested an extra $145-M on top of an annual $220-M, and the 2020-21 NSW Budget also included an additional $56-M to boost palliative care services.

In total, the NSW government has invested $619-M into upgrading health facilities across the Northern Beaches. Health Minister Brad Hazzard comments, “The NSW Government is committed to providing best practice multidisciplinary palliative care services that give patients and their families real choice and support during what is undoubtedly one of the most difficult times.”

Prior to the installation of the new building, people would have to travel to Greenwich or Neringah which made it difficult for them to spend time with their loved ones. The Palliative Care and Geriatric Evaluation and Management building possesses two wings: a 10-bed palliative care unit, and a 10-bed Geriatric Evaluation and Management unit, both of which aim to diversify the medical care and services provided by the Mona Vale Hospital.

An estimated 50 members of staff will work at the facility, operating through disciplines of medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy, administration, and countless other personalised care services.

The Mona Vale Hospital can be found at 18 Coronation St, Mona Vale. For more information, visit their website. Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates, news, and announcements concerning their facilities and for inspirational stories.

Mona Vale Hospital Main Building Demolished as Private Health Providers Sought

Demolitions have begun at the main building of Mona Vale Hospital on Coronation Street. The asbestos-ridden site, which has been closed since October, will be replaced with a new ambulance station, while private health providers have been sought to revitalise the new health care centre.

“This demolition work will make way for the new NSW Ambulance station and is part of the largest investment in health services on the northern beaches in decades,” Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

Mr Hazzard also said that for years, regular air tests were conducted two-monthly at Mona Vale Hospital to ensure that there were no asbestos leaks. Mona Vale Hospital’s main building provided emergency care, maternity care, and other acute services.

“It’s for this exact reason we have commenced the essential process of building brand new facilities at Mona Vale Hospital,” the health minister said.

*Photo Credit: Mona Vale Hospital/Facebook*

Some residents, however, have staunchly opposed the revitalisation and privatisation as public hospital services around the Northern Beaches have been dwindling in numbers. The locals had hopes that the main building will be reinstated, not demolished, following the redevelopment.

The group Save Mona Vale Hospital has been campaigning to retain the main building “provide emergency, surgery, maternity and other acute services at a minimum of a Level 3 standard for the public good.”

Members of the group Mona Vale Hospital’s Emergency & Surgical Must Be Returned, on the other hand, have been writing government officials to retain the main hospital building.

“Mona Vale Hospital has been part of the Northern Beaches community since the early 1960s and is part of our modern heritage. The decision to knock down the main building after 2018 is opposed by the local community. The main Mona Vale Hospital building is the largest piece of infrastructure in the Pittwater area and still has value even if put to other uses,” Mark Horton said in his letter to Councillor Rob Stokes.

With the main building gone, acute, maternity and emergency care services are now being undertaken at the Northern Beaches Hospital some 13.2 kilometres away.

Mona Vale Surf Club New Building Construction Starts Winter

Construction of a new building for the Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) will finally start this winter. The Northern Beaches Council has approved the plans submitted last October 2018 to change its old building and improve its facilities.

The existing building on Surfview Road will be demolished to make way for a larger structure that will satisfy the needs of the club members for the next decades.

The old building of the Mona Vale Surf Club.
Photo Credit: Google Maps

The new building which will be completed in mid-2020.
Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council

“The project will provide a fit for purpose facility that suits the needs of the surf club and the community. The new building will address ongoing storage issues, improve accessibility and safety, and provide commercial activities to generate revenue for Council,” the Development Application stated.

The new home of the Mona Vale Surf Club will be a two-storey building with the following amenities:

lift
commercial restaurant and cafes
gym
change rooms
function room
equipment storage room
first aid room
lifeguard room
administrative office

This is considered the first stage of the project. The Council expects that there will be another assessment by June 2020 for the next stage.

*Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council*

The projected cost of this refurbishment was at $6.7 million and the funds have been sourced from the Northern Beaches Council, the Pittwater Council SRV Program, the NSW Stronger Communities Fund, and through contributions from club members.

Mona Vale Undergoes Several Major Upgrades and Developments In 2019

Photo Credit: Morgan/Flickr

Mona Vale is getting some much-needed upgrades and developments for 2019 courtesy of the New South Wales government. In fact, work has started for some of these projects this March. Learn what these are in the rundown below.

Mona Vale Road

First on the list of development priorities is the $140-million Mona Vale Road upgrade which will become a four-lane thoroughfare. The roadwork will also include the construction of a concrete safety barrier between Manor Road and Daytime Street.

On the other hand, the roundabout at the Ponderosa Parade and Samuel Street intersection will also be replaced, while new traffic and pedestrian crossing lights will be installed. Bus stops at this intersection will be relocated at a new site further to the east.

Below is a video animation from the NSW Roads to give the public an idea of the Mona Vale Road improvements. The road work is expected to be completed in 2022, according to the Transport Roads & Maritime Services.

Mona Vale Hospital

About $60 million in government funds have been allocated towards the renovation of the Mona Vale Hospital on Coronation Street. Once completed, the new site will have a Support Services building with a helipad and a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit for 10 patients.

Additionally, the government has given $10 million more to the hospital improvements to benefit the hospital’s palliative care and geriatric units. The money will also be used to acquire a new ambulance facility for its Urgent Care Centre.

“This additional investment will ensure the design and fit out of the new inpatient unit will be of the highest standard and comfort,” MP for Pittwater Rob Stokes said in a statement.

“The NSW Government is committed to Mona Vale Hospital continuing to provide vital health services for local patients into the future – in close cooperation with the major Northern Beaches Hospital.”

Mona Vale SLSC

Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) will get a new $6.7 million two-storey building upgrade, with $3.9 million coming from the NSW Government. The improvements will provide a gym, commercial cafes and restaurants, a club canteen, function rooms, members lounge, and public bathrooms.

Approval of the construction was given in February and it is expected to be completed by winter of 2020. About 1300 members, including nippers (children), regularly use the club and its facilities on Surfview Road.

The upgrade will provide for the demands of the club members for the next decade. The Mona Vale SLC is one of the biggest SLSC in the Northern Beaches.

Mona Vale Public School

Fifteen new air-conditioned classrooms will bring comfort to students of the Mona Vale Public School, thanks to $2.5 million funding from the Northern Beaches Council. This will replace the demountable classrooms currently in use. Also included in this development project is a new performance centre for various school activities for its theater and music classes or clubs.

“The school upgrade and new multi-purpose performance centre will have enormous benefits for our community,” Mr Stokes said.

Photo Credit: Mona Vale Chamber of Commerce/Facebook

Mona Vale Performance Centre Project Postponed

The proposed Mona Vale performance centre has been put on hold as it is deemed not financially viable.

Background of Performance Centre Project

The proposal for building a performance centre in Mona Vale was first introduced in April of 2017. It was the Northern Beaches Council which identified the need for a musical performance space in the area to support ensembles across Northern Beaches’ schools and the broader community. Moreso, It will also allow residents of Mona Vale to maintain an active interest in music and the performing arts.

Since its lodging, residents of Mona Vale have been conscientiously supporting the project. A number of consultation meetings were held within the community to further enhance the initial proposal.

The overall summary of the Mona Vale Performance Centre based on discussion amongst stakeholders involves:

An auditorium that has 600 to 1,000 seating capacity
An available stage size of 15 metres x 10 metres that is ideal for a concert orchestra
Available studios or spaces for warm up and rehearsals
Technical attributes of the stage and overall auditorium
Potential retail spaces for commercial use
An underground carpark

Mona Vale Public School offered a portion of its land, specifically at the corner of Bungan and Waratah Streets, as the location for the proposed performance centre.

Shelved Status

Despite receiving overwhelming public support and the council’s best effort in developing a business case and charitable trust to raise funds for the construction of the performance centre, the decision to shelve the project still prevailed.

Theater Seat — *Photo credit: CCO Public Domain/ HolgersFotografie/ Pixabay*

The estimate cost of the proposed 1000-seat venue is at $ 32.9 million. At present, the council only has $ 2.5 million in funds coming from the Stronger Communities Fund.

With over $ 30 million worth remaining balance left, the council would then need to use the retail and operations income to enter into loan borrowings for a 20-year period. This also implies that the council would have to find funds yearly worth $ 1.02 million in order to run the venue over the course of 20 years.

Considering the huge expense, the council hoped that a charitable trust could help raise funds for the construction of the site. However, the council’s lawyers urged them not to proceed with the charitable trust as it would require the trust to operate the venue, making the council lose control of the centre’s overall management.

What’s Next?

A number of locals were disappointed with the decision of the councillors regarding the proposed Mona Vale Performance Centre.

One of the driving forces behind this project, Mona Vale Public School’s Principal Greg Jones, continues to express the importance of having a performance space in the area. He also mentioned that the entire community still remains to be supportive of this project despite its shelved status, and that they will all be open to look at any available options necessary for this project to proceed.

Mayor Michael Regan also shared his sentiments about the councillors’ decision, stating that a performance centre has always been included in the wishlist of the community.

Given the recommendations and final decision of the council, details of the proposed performance space in Mona Vale were sent to the State Government and the Department of Education. By doing so, this will allow them to discuss the project further and perhaps look into it on smaller scale perspective