Much-needed home for elderly cancer patients sitting empty and unused

Yvonne always dreamed of offering a home away from home for people going through cancer treatment.

It was meant to be a safe place where they could rest and be cared for.

She was told to build it, and the funding would come.

But after it was built, it’s sitting empty and unused.

Watch the full story in the video player above.

Federal Health Department statement

The Australian Government understands the disappointment that Yvonne Cuschieri House is not yet operating, particularly for people with serious illness and the families who care for them.

The government committed $1 million in 2022 to support the facility’s initial establishment and operating phase, alongside contributions from the New South Wales Government and philanthropic donors.

Construction of Yvonne Cuschieri House has now been completed, with landscaping works underway.

The key issue is securing a suitable provider that can operate the service safely and sustainably.

Palliative and respite care services are primarily delivered by states and territories, with significant Australian Government funding provided through the National Health Reform Agreement.

The government remains committed to working with states, territories and service partners to improve access to respite and palliative care.

Southern NSW Local Health District statement

Southern NSW Local Health District acknowledges the significant amount of time and effort that has gone into raising funds for Yvonne Cuschieri House.

We have been supporting Respite Care for Queanbeyan (RCQ) in exploring various operational funding options to help them achieve a successful outcome for the operational commissioning of Yvonne Cuschieri House.

Unfortunately, despite everyone’s best efforts, a resolution has not been reached at this time.

The District will continue to engage with RCQ and other stakeholders to work towards a successful outcome for our community.

Statement from federal Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain

I have consistently supported efforts to get Yvonne Cuschieri House up and running, both through advocacy for capital grants and in the form of an election commitment of $1 million towards operation costs, as requested by the board.

It is disappointing that no operators submitted a tender in the Request for Tender when there are similar services operating in the ACT and Sydney.

I will continue to engage with the Board of Yvonne Cuschieri House and other service operators as the board seeks to get a sustainable service up and running.

We still have $800,000 in federal funding available for the first year of operations should an operator be secured.

Statement from state Monaro MP Steve Whan

I have consistently supported Respite for Queanbeyan in its amazing efforts to build Yvonne Cuschieri House. I remain committed to doing all I can to try to assist in gaining support to get the facility open.

The NSW Government in total provided $1.35 million toward construction of Yvonne Cuschieri House, $750,000 from the former coalition Government and $600,000 committed during the 2023 election campaign by the Minns Government. NSW taxpayers have been the biggest single contributors to construction.

As the Labor candidate at the 2023 election, I was happy to support the community by committing to assist with a funding shortfall the committee faced for construction.

At the time in 2023 ongoing operational funding was not discussed with me, no commitment was requested or made. Over the past 18 months a number of discussion have happened around getting the facility operational and I have worked to try to find a possible operating model.

I am advised the Federal Government has already announced $1m to support the operating of the centre. The NSW State Government does not currently have a role in funding services such as this.

Because of the level of care being offered it is highly unlikely that a person in the respite facility would otherwise be in an acute hospital bed. Nevertheless, I do agree that the respite facility would be an incredibly valuable resource for our community and would materially improve the quality of life of its occupants and their carers.

That is why over quite a number of months I have been actively talking to Southern Local Health District (LHD), Minister Park and Federal Member Kristy McBain about what we can do to help get the facility up and running. 

At my instigation the LHD has been talking to a potential provider and has been considering how it might be able to assist in getting the facility open.

I continue to work with stakeholders on further exploring options that could assist in getting the facility open.