Karinya is a stand-alone building in the grounds of the hospital which overlooks farming land and mountains, and includes:

• 9 beds (including 2 single rooms).
• Outdoor gazebo and garden area for patients and visitors.
• Allied Health therapists, social workers, pastoral care and volunteer service.
• Facilities for family members to stay overnight if required.
• Free tea and coffee making facilities (sorry, no meals available).

People with difficult symptoms resulting from a life-limiting illness are generally referred to the Specialist Community Palliative Care Service well before requiring a hospital stay. Once linked to the Palliative Care Service, patients can then be admitted directly from the community at the request of the Specialist Community Palliative Care team. Alternatively, patients can be linked to the Service through the Consult Service from another hospital and be transferred to Karinya Palliative Care Unit at David Berry Hospital.

A hospital stay at Karinya Palliative Care Unit may be required when:

• patients are needing extra care and monitoring of troubling symptoms,
• patients approaching end-of-life cannot be cared for at home, or
• a short term break is needed for the caregiver.

It is important to remember that hospital is not an appropriate long term option for people who have stable symptoms. For most people, home or an aged care facility may be more appropriate option for people with well managed symptoms.

However, some patients prefer to receive their end of life care in hospital, with medical support and 24-hour nursing care.

A Palliative Care Unit is a good option for people with high care needs and limited carer support.