Ahead of the January opening of new palliative care unit in Orange Hospital volunteers have been busy finalising the purchase of furniture and electrical appliances for the unit.

President of Orange Push for Palliative Jenny Hazelton said the group was using funds donated over the past five years to furnish the lounge and kitchen areas, and to provide large screen televisions, lamps and CD players/radios to the four rooms.

The rooms overlook the parklands of the former Orange ex-Services Country Club, and will be used by patients and their families.

"The opening of the unit on January 10 as part of the newly created Hematology, Oncology and Palliative (HOPS) centre on the ground floor of the hospital is the culmination of five years of advocacy by our group on behalf of the Orange community," said Mrs Hazelton.

She said while initially the group was disappointed the Orange Health Service trial at [Uniting] Parkwood [residential care facility] was not sustainable due to financial constraints, the new model for palliative care at Orange Hospital was an excellent outcome.

The new area set aside for palliative care is adjacent to chemotherapy services and involves two large dedicated rooms with capacity for two surge rooms, a fully equipped kitchen and dining area for patient's families, as well as a spacious lounge area with large screen TV, and exclusive access to a private garden area nearby.

"We are delighted our group has been able to contribute to this new palliative unit and look forward to a long and productive collaboration with Orange Health Service in a way that ensures the very best of care from a dedicated and professional team of health professionals at the hospital," Mrs Hazelton said.

"In conjunction with Orange Health Service we will continue to keep the community updated over the coming weeks on the completion and opening of the palliative care unit."

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