Palliative care
Our palliative care services focus on assisting a person with a progressive, advanced disease to live well when the primary goal is to optimise quality of life.
Rockhampton Hospital Palliative Care service
This service supports patients with advanced, progressive and incurable conditions and expected to live less than 12 months.
Community Palliative Care service
This service offers specialised palliative care consultation and support to prevent unnecessary hospitalisation and suffering with a focus on preparation for care at end of life in a place of residence.
When pain or symptoms become difficult to manage you can be supported by a palliative care nurse practitioner.
Services
Rockhampton Hospital Palliative Care service
- specialist consultation/liaison service
- outpatient clinic
- inpatient pain and symptom assessment, management and advice
- inpatient psychosocial and spiritual support and appropriate referral
- support for advance care planning
- liaison and support to GPs and domiciliary nurses in the community
- referral to local palliative care services including inpatient units and community services
- education programs
Community Palliative Care service
- assist families to approach sensitive issues and complete advance care planning
- assessment focused on pain and other physical symptoms, as well as psychological, social and spiritual needs
- support families to meet cultural obligations
- targeted assessment focused on pain and other symptoms, such as nausea, anxiety, shortness of breath
- educate and assist families, carers and other health care providers to deliver care at end of life in place of residence
- link to community services to support any other identified needs
How to access this service
You will need a referral letter from your GP or medical practitioner to access the Rockhampton Hospital Palliative Care service and Community Palliative Care service.
The person and/or their enduring power of attorney (EPOA) must consent to a palliative care referral.
