Caring through connection: WA’s first children’s hospice gets the go ahead
In a win for patients, carers and the community, Western Australia’s first and only Children’s Hospice on Whadjuk Country has been given the green light.
The Hassell designed facility will cater for children aged from birth to 18 years living with life-limiting conditions, who need around-the-clock clinical support or end-of-life and bereavement care.
The $33 million hospice will have seven single-guest bedrooms with ensuites, one two-bedroom family suite with ensuite and connection to a guest bedroom, as well as two standalone family suites with ensuites and private terraces. A bereavement suite connected to a landscaped courtyard and private car bay is provided on the ground floor.
At its heart, the hospice embraces a central green and social core, intertwining landscaped courtyards, sunlit interiors, and engaging programs that make it easy for children, families, and carers to relax and connect in a restorative setting.
A hydrotherapy pool, indoor play zones, a fenced playground and sensory garden spaces with a memorial garden all emphasise the link between play and wellbeing. Other care-oriented features include communal living and dining areas, multiple therapy spaces, meeting rooms and clinical support spaces.
Hassell Senior Architect, James French, said the design’s focus on creating a home-like environment amid natural surroundings was a priority.
“The hospice aims to enhance the quality of life for children and families, providing a sanctuary for holistic care and creating cherished memories away from clinical settings.”
— James French, Senior Architect
“The materials chosen and spatial arrangements have been curated to echo the ambiance of a beachside retreat — a serene sanctuary steeped in tranquillity and nostalgia, capturing the essence of home and providing much needed respite.”
The children’s hospice rests on Mooro Whadjuk Noongar Country, a place of deep meaning to First Nations. Cultural advisors, Soft Earth, will guide the project, shaping design solutions and advise on the integration of public artwork, in a vital role from start to finish.
As a partnership between Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and Child and Adolescent Health Services, the project will be jointly funded by the state and federal governments along with donations from Lotterywest, the WA community, and local businesses.
