Welcome to O’Neill House

O’Neill House, located in vibrant Prahran, offers 22 beautifully-appointed private rooms and provides a personalised, luxurious and caring experience for older people requiring temporary respite care or specialist end-of-life care.

O’Neill House provides palliative support for people in their last months of life, and ensures family and friends can maintain their caring role in this comfortable home, in conjunction with our care teams. This service offers care and support in a home-like environment, providing physical and spiritual care, as well as ensuring family and loved ones can spend valuable, quality time together.

If you’re a carer for your loved one, you may be in need of a break. COVID-19 has increased the burden on many people who are carers for family or friends, with limited opportunities for activities and respite outside of the home.

There is no better place for respite than O’Neill House. Respite is an opportunity for you to take some time out for yourself, to reconnect with your own interests and social circle, while your loved one experiences the very best care and support, in a beautiful, home-like setting. O’Neill House offers aged care respite services for two weeks or longer, and we can customise a plan that will suit you and your loved one.

O’Neill House has been designed to ensure family and friends can enjoy a break from their caring role, while your loved is supported with activities that bring meaning, connection and enjoyment. The welcoming and tranquil home is light filled, and overlooks landscaped gardens to enhance comfort and wellbeing.

This building has been redesigned following extensive research, recognising the importance of the physical environment. All rooms promote independence and mental wellbeing through the use of light, nature and luxurious finishes.

Every room includes:

• Generous king single bed
• Beautifully-appointed ensuite bathroom
• Flat-screen television and Wi-Fi
• Climate controlled room with the ability to open windows and doors for fresh air
• Ample robes, shelving and storage to display and store your personal items.

A family member or friend is welcome to stay overnight in the room with their loved one at any time.

O’Neill House also offers a fully self-contained apartment where extended family can stay for a fee.

Services

O’Neill House is located in the heart of Prahran, giving you and your family easy access to enjoy this vibrant area including Victoria Gardens, local cafes and pubs.

We also provide a range of on site, fee-based services including;

• Beauty therapy and hairdressing
• Aromatherapy and massage
• Professional chef to provide nutritious and enjoyable meals and snacks
• Diverse lifestyle program
• A self-contained apartment for overnight stays.

Free Wi-Fi and work spaces, a private dining room for family gatherings or meetings, as well as pastoral care support six days a week and a chapel for worship and reflection, are available to support you, your family and friends.

Award-winning care

O’Neill House was honoured with a Future of Ageing Award (Palliative Care) from Inside Ageing in 2022.

Here, VMCH CEO Sonya Smart shares her thoughts on what makes O’Neill House such a unique and vital service.

Meet the Team

Access and fees

To access this service, you must qualify for an aged care assessment and income testing. Your GP, palliative service or hospital can guide you through this process.

If you do not wish to undertake these assessments, a full fee for service is available.

Call our Customer Service Centre on 1300 698 624  and our friendly team can support you with any queries you may have. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to O’Neill House.

This information has been provided by VMCH as a general guide to our services and is subject to change. For more information on the payment options, click here.