A $2980 grant from the Buderim Foundation has allowed Sunshine Coast Health Foundation, Wishlist, to establish an important Comfort Room in the Ambulatory Care Centre at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

During a tough time, the room will be a space for patients and their families to go, away from the hustle and bustle of the clinic setting, to receive difficult news and counselling about their health, or the health of a loved-one.

It will also offer the Sunshine Coast University Hospital Ambulatory Care staff somewhere quiet to deliver important information without the interruptions and time restrictions that are common in the busy ambulatory care setting.

Nurse Unit Manager at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital Ambulatory Care Centre, Philomena Webb, said every day in the centre, many patients receive a life changing diagnosis.

“The Hospital has clinicians available, at short notice, to counsel patients and their families when they receive difficult news. However, until now, there hasn’t been a dedicated space for these personal conversations to take place.

“The lounge suite, table and chairs, cushions and artwork were purchased, thanks to Wishlist and the Buderim Foundation, to transform a meeting room into a comfortable ‘lounge’ for the purpose of confidential discussions and counselling between staff, patients and family members when needed.

“The space also has teleconference equipment to allow patients to include other family members that would otherwise be unable to be part of these important discussions

“It may just seem like a few pieces of furniture, but the benefits of a comforting space like this, for local families, are profound”, Ms Webb said.

Buderim Foundation Chairman, Russell Stitz, said the purpose of the Foundation is to build a stronger community by harnessing the power of giving and the work carried out by Wishlist was very fitting with building a stronger community.

“The work carried out by Wishlist fills a real gap in our community when it comes to improving the health care facilities across the region.

“We are grateful for the work they do and it’s a privilege to support such a worthy cause”, Mr Stitz said.

In 2018, the Buderim Foundation awarded a record amount of more than $75,000 in grants to 23 community-based organisations.

Wishlist work with the Sunshine Coast community to identify and fund vital health equipment and initiatives to support the local health service and its mission to provide the very best health care.