In a massive win for the community, the state government announced on Monday that the $4.2 million hospital upgrade would include a purpose-build renal unit with six dialysis chairs, along with a palliative care centre.

Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said the funds came as a direct result of the “community’s passion” for both projects.

“This community is amazing when it comes to raising money for local projects and the government certainly takes that commitment and community spirit into consideration when it comes to allocating funds,” she said.

The Milton-Ulladulla community has raised $95,000 towards a renal unit in less than 14 months and Hospital Auxiliary president Narelle Ober said that showed a real need for the facility.

“This unit will mean that people don’t have to travel to Nowra for renal dialysis,” she said.

“I am absolutely delighted with the announcement.”

All the community’s funds will be spent on the renal unit, while funds from the cancer out[patients appeal will aid the palliative care unit.

Milton-Ulladulla Diabetes Australia Support Group secretary Jenny Puglisi is caring for her 36-year-old son Anthony who has type one diabetes and is travelling to Nowra three days each week for the five-hour treatment.

She said the six-bed unit would provide up to 24 treatment cycles per week locally, reducing the need for extensive travel to Nowra or Moruya.

“It’s fantastic,” she added.

Dr Brett Thomson welcomed both the renal and palliative care units in separate wings to be built at the rear of the hospital.

He said renal diseases were on the rise and the need for dialysis and associated care locally would continue to increase.

“At any time in the future, it could be one of us in the chairs,” he told a gathering outside the hospital on Monday.

“These type of satellite facilities are what we need so renal patients can get in, get out and get on with their lives.”

Dr Thomson said it was crucial the new palliative care unit had a strong connection to the adjacent Community Cancer Centre.

Cancer Council representative Joan Hayward was thrilled funds had been included for the palliative care unit, and said the facility was needed so local people could “die with dignity, in a pleasant environment and with their families close by”.

She said, with the closest dedicated palliative unit located in Berry, families often could not spend time with their loved ones.

She said one Ulladulla man took his caravan to Berry so he could be nearer to his wife in her final weeks and days.

“The situation, as it is now, is appalling,” Mrs Hayward said.

Mrs Hancock said both units would “greatly enhance the community’s access to services closer to home”. 

She said over the past 12 months the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District had undertaken feasibility works to investigate the best options to maximise use of space and accessibility at the hospital for the expansion.

“I’m delighted the project has now progressed to the planning phase which will include the development of detailed design concepts and scope of work documents ahead of the tender process,” she added.

“We know that demand for renal services will continue to increase as our community ages.

“Being able to have dialysis delivered closer to home will be a godsend for those requiring treatment.

“This will not only reduce the impact on the patient, but also their families and support networks.”  

Mrs Hancock said the Local Health District would establish a working party including senior renal clinicians and hospital staff to work toward implementing the unit and associated services.

Following completion of the planning works and the tender process, construction of the new renal unit and palliative care facility is expected to start early next year, with completion expected in 2016.

While two groups had been lobbying for two separate units at the hospital, Mrs Hancock said she was pleased to be able to incorporate both facilities in one project.

She said the Jindelara Respite Home was the next “important local project” on her agenda and encouraged the community to continue fundraising and lobbying for the facility.