A generous donation is helping bring comfort, dignity and precious moments of togetherness to individuals and their loved ones receiving end-of-life care at Dubbo Health Service (DHS).

Walanmarra (formerly Lourdes Hospital), the mixed rehabilitation and palliative care ward at DHS, has five dedicated palliative care beds which are frequently at capacity.

The team is continually looking for ways to enhance the comfort, dignity and quality of care provided to patients and their families during one of life’s most difficult journeys.

Recognising the need for a dedicated space for patients choosing to access Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD), Nurse Unit Manager Natasha Davis had a vision that a suitable bed would always be available when it was needed. Following discussions with Jade O’Brien, Health Service Manager for VAD at Western NSW Local Health District, the pair began exploring ways to make that vision a reality.

Jade reached out to Bruce McGowan, whom she had first met several years ago when Bruce’s mother-in-law, Wendy, accessed VAD during her battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

Through that experience, Jade became aware of the work of The Belinda McGowan Foundation, established in memory of Bruce’s wife to help ensure patients and their loved ones can experience greater comfort and connection during the final stages of life.

The foundation has since made a significant contribution to improving end-of-life care across rural, regional and remote Australia.

Bruce generously agreed to donate one of the foundation’s specialised Australian-made “cuddle beds” to Walanmarra.

Through the provision of cuddle beds to hospitals across rural, regional and remote communities, the foundation has helped transform the end-of-life experience for patients and families.

The specialised beds allow loved ones to remain physically close to a patient, creating an environment where families can share meaningful moments together in comfort and privacy, recognising the emotional and psychological importance of connection at the end of life.

The Foundation’s work is also helping to highlight the importance of compassionate, person-centred healthcare that considers not only a patient’s clinical needs, but also the needs of their family and loved ones.

For Bruce, the donation to Walanmarra represents an opportunity to turn a deeply personal family experience into something that can benefit others facing similar circumstances.

By sharing his family’s story, Bruce hopes to encourage people navigating end-of-life circumstances to have open and informed conversations about the choices available to them, including VAD, and to make decisions that reflect their own values, wishes and individual circumstances.

"Every family deserves the opportunity to be together when it matters most," Mr McGowan said.

"While this bed was initially discussed in the context of supporting patients accessing Voluntary Assisted Dying, its purpose extends far beyond that.

“It will be available to any patient receiving palliative care, giving families the chance to hold hands, share conversations and simply be close during precious final moments."

The cuddle bed will be available to all patients receiving palliative care at Walanmarra, giving families the opportunity to remain physically close to their loved ones during their final days and moments.

For families in Dubbo and the surrounding region, the cuddle bed will provide an opportunity to sit, rest, hold hands, talk, share memories or simply be together when it matters most.

The bed is also equipped with an advanced pressure-relieving mattress, helping to maximise patient comfort while supporting nursing staff in providing a high standard of pressure injury prevention and care.

This specialised equipment represents an important investment in both patient wellbeing and clinical care, while recognising the emotional needs of families during the end-of-life journey.

The official opening of the Walanmarra cuddle bed took place on Tuesday, August 11, the event well attended and graciously catered by You Café.

Through its work, The Belinda McGowan Foundation continues to advocate for an approach to healthcare that recognises the importance of dignity, compassion and human connection alongside clinical care.

The donation to Walanmarra is another step towards ensuring patients and their families have the opportunity to spend their final moments together with greater comfort, dignity and peace.