KATIE ROSE COTTAGE HOSPICE RECEIVES TIMELY DONATION

In a heartening development, Katie Rose Cottage Hospice in Doonan has received a donation of $10,000 from Eumundi Rotary Initiatives Ltd (ERIL). The funds will be utilised to support Katie Rose's vital outreach in-home care service. The ERIL community grant program allocates surplus funds raised through the production of Eumundi Voice to support local charities and worthwhile projects.

have soared from $1.8M to $3.6M. The planned development work at the hospice includes increasing the number of guest rooms from 3 to 5 and adding a new nursing station, effectively doubling the size of the facility within its 3-acre property. The additional rooms would allow the hospice to accommodate an extra 40-50 guests annually.

The funding comes as welcome relief after the hospice had to halt its expansion plans due to a significant increase in construction costs, which Cont. p3

Rebecca Grisman, CEO of Katie Rose, emphasised the importance of the expansion. “We have been operating 24/7 for 6 years and have served over 440 people during that time.

Our region has an ageing population, and more people are coming to the shire to retire, so the demand for palliative care is always growing.” to partner with us to do more for local people at the end-of-life.” Visit: katierosecottage.org.au.

Despite the halt in expansion, the hospice is consulting with the Federal Government about repurposing the grant. They are seeking wheelchair access for family members, handrails along corridors, a safer driveway, an updated septic system, and a large general-purpose room to house the nurses’ station and provide space for grief counselling.

Rebecca also pointed out the financial challenges faced by the hospice. The cost per bed per day is $1,600 for their nurses, and the hospice relies heavily on community support through op shops and donations to keep operating. They are currently revamping the op shops to adapt to the tight economic conditions.

In addition to the hospice services, Katie Rose has initiated an innovative in-home care service, allowing individuals to pass away in the comfort of their own homes with the hospice's support. This service has proven vital to local people and has also helped save costs for Qld Health.

Rebecca is calling for more community support and donations to help the hospice continue its essential work. She also stressed the need for increased funding from Qld Health to support their nurses' wages, noting the disparity in funding among hospices in Qld.

The hospice's commitment to providing free services and its groundbreaking outreach home palliative care service underscore its dedication to the community. As Rebecca aptly put it, “We welcome donations and community supporters to partner with us to do more for local people at the end-of-life.” Visit: katierosecottage.org.au.