Photo: Great space: Port Macquarie Base Hospital nurse unit manager Emily Saul celebrating the Hastings Cancer Trust grant with staff Selina Chin, Peggy Meehan, Daniel Morrison and Hannah Williams. A wellness space will be developed for acute care patients at Port Macquarie Base Hospital's Medical ward thanks to a $4000 donation from the Hastings Cancer Trust. The grants were announced at an event held at Rydges Port Macquarie on Thursday, November 14.Nurse unit manager Emily Saul says the ward also caters for some palliative care patients.She said the wellness space will be created with input from patients and staff."We intend to create a wellness space on the balcony that can be used by patients, family, friends and staff," Ms Saul said."It will include vertical gardens, music, privacy screening, comfort seating and shade space and be a place to enjoy within the hospital that is not so clinical."As a medical ward, we see acute patients, palliative care and stroke and respiratory patients as well."We want to develop this space so it is comfortable for everyone."The majority of patients on the 30-bed ward are acute care and the wellness space will create a natural-type setting that provides some "normality" during their hospitalisation.The total cost of the project is around $5000 with the shortfall to come from fundraising or through other donations."This is a busy medical ward and we can sometimes look for a peaceful space for patients and staff," Ms Saul said."A lot of patients going through treatment need that time away from the clinical space and this wellness area will be beneficial."Staff will also be encouraged to use this area too."Ms Saul thanked the Hastings Cancer Trust - and the broader support of the organisation - for the donation that they received."This grant will benefit patients and we look forward to the space being available sometime in the New Year," she added.Thanks to Port News Peter Daniels for the story