Todd Cuschieri has experienced the challenges associated with inadequate respite care on a personal level. His brother, Steven Cuschieri, succumbed to cancer in his early 50s, with primary care provided by their parents. However, the strain of caregiving posed significant risks of burnout, emphasizing the necessity for respite care services.
“My parents couldn’t manage everything on their own, and Steven often transitioned between hospitals and aged care,” Todd shared. “During his time in aged care, he was placed in a room with three elderly gentlemen in their 80s and 90s. I could see he felt out of place, and it was tough to witness him in that situation.”
Motivated by this experience, Todd’s mother, Yvonne Cuschieri OAM, initiated efforts to advocate for an age-appropriate respite care facility in Queanbeyan.
Approximately ten years ago, Yvonne and her supporters gathered over 2,000 signatures from the Queanbeyan community to petition for a respite center tailored for individuals aged 18 to 60 suffering from terminal or chronic illnesses. As the founder of Rise Above, previously known as the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group, she collaborated with board member Paul Walshe OAM to push this initiative forward.
Following Yvonne’s passing in 2021, Paul Walshe has remained committed to fulfilling her vision by ensuring the establishment of the respite center. “Without carers, the healthcare system would struggle to support younger patients,” he noted.
Both Yvonne and Paul engaged with local state and federal representatives, successfully securing $750,000 from the federal government and $1.35 million from the New South Wales government, alongside various community donations to fund the facility’s construction.
Despite the progress, ongoing funding remains a crucial hurdle for the charity established to support Yvonne Cuschieri House — Respite Care for Queanbeyan. The organization is willing to transfer the facility to a service provider, but the lack of continuous financial support has hindered the search for an operator.
In 2022, the federal government allocated $1 million to assist with the initial operations of Yvonne Cuschieri House. However, Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain clarified that this funding was not intended to sustain the facility in the long term. “The purpose was to help secure an operator and develop a viable operating model in the interim,” she remarked.
Paul emphasized the necessity for ongoing financial backing to ensure the center fulfills its intended purpose. “To fully fund Yvonne Cuschieri House, annual costs will range from $1.4 to $1.6 million. It is unrealistic to expect that amount to be raised through fundraising in a single year. Therefore, government support is essential—a point I have been communicating to the authorities for over six years,” he stated.
NSW Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, acknowledged that clear funding sources for a facility like Yvonne Cuschieri House are currently lacking, particularly since individuals with chronic or terminal conditions often do not qualify for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). “The federal government provides funding for primary health care, aged care, and disability services through the NDIS. If the facility catered to these areas, it would likely have a more stable revenue stream,” he noted.
Steve expressed his intent to explore potential support from NSW Health for the facility. “I am in discussions with health services to examine any potential collaborations, possibly with our palliative care providers. While NSW Health currently offers palliative care services, we lack residential or respite-style options,” he said.
He also acknowledged that consideration for an operational model should have been included when funding for the construction was allocated. “In hindsight, it would have been beneficial to develop a sustainable operating model alongside the capital funding a decade ago. Now, we find ourselves attempting to catch up and develop a viable solution,” he reflected.
Despite these challenges, Ms. McBain remains hopeful about the future of Yvonne Cuschieri House. “It is crucial to secure a long-term operator for this facility, which should be our primary focus at this stage,” she asserted. “Steve Whan and I are actively engaging with various organizations to explore possibilities for the center, which could significantly improve the lives of many individuals in need. We will continue these discussions to ensure that we find a suitable solution.”
