When someone you love needs end-of-life care, the first place to turn is your GP. From there, a referral opens the door to a full network of palliative care services, support teams, and community resources across Queensland.
We know how much is already on your plate when a life-limiting illness enters your family's life. You might be wondering where the process starts, or whether your loved one even qualifies. Those questions deserve clear answers, and this guide will walk you through them.
PalAssist is a free Queensland Health-funded service staffed by registered nurses and allied health professionals, available 7 days a week across Queensland. Read on to find out who qualifies, what services are available, and how to take that first step.
What Does a Palliative Care Team Actually Do for Your Family?
A palliative care team supports your family by managing physical symptoms, emotional well-being, and practical care needs for the person in your care, all at the same time. This team includes:
➔ Specialist Palliative Care Doctors: They manage your loved one's medical needs and oversee the overall care plan.
➔ Registered Nurses: Day-to-day, they provide hands-on clinical care and monitor symptoms closely.
➔ Social Workers: If you need help with practical concerns like finances, accommodation, and family communication, social workers can assist.
➔ Counsellors: For both the patient and family member, there are counsellors who provide emotional and psychological support.
➔ Allied Health Professionals: Depending on needs, they may support areas like physiotherapy, nutrition, and spiritual care.
Instead of working separately, your team coordinates across disciplines so that nothing falls through the gaps. You might be surprised at how much of the coordination they handle, leaving you free to focus on being present with the person you care for.
The team also addresses other symptoms like nausea, breathlessness, and fatigue. As needs change over time, they adjust the care plan to keep the person in your care as comfortable as possible.
On top of that, health professionals will help your family prepare an advance care plan, which documents treatment preferences for the future. This gives your whole family clarity and confidence when decisions become harder to make.
How to Access Palliative Care Services in Queensland
As we already mentioned, your GP is the best first step for accessing palliative care services in Queensland. They will assess your family's care needs and connect you with the right palliative care providers from there. Here is how the process works.
Start With Your GP
Your GP already has a complete picture of the health history involved, which makes them the right person to assess care needs and refer you to specialist palliative care services. In some cases, Queensland Health also allows self-referrals.
But if you are not sure about how to access support or where to start, ask your doctor or contact PalAssist directly.
Where Palliative Care Providers Operate
Palliative care is available at home, in hospitals, hospices and aged care facilities across Queensland. Receiving quality care does not mean leaving home or entering a clinical facility.
For example, families in regional Queensland can access community-based care teams that visit them directly, removing the need for long-distance travel.
Support for Regional and Rural Queenslanders
If you live outside a major city, distance should not stand between your family and quality care. The Specialist Palliative Rural Telehealth Service (SPaRTa) connects Queenslanders in remote areas with specialist doctors and nurses via telehealth. That means your loved one can receive expert support without leaving home.
Who Can Receive Palliative Care and When to Ask for It
Palliative care is available from the point of diagnosis for anyone living with a life-limiting illness. Starting early often leads to a better quality of life for everyone involved, both the person receiving care and the family around them. If you are wondering whether your family member qualifies, the answer is broader than most people expect.
It Goes Beyond Cancer
Heart failure, lung disease, dementia, and neurological conditions all qualify for palliative care alongside cancer and other serious illnesses. You can explore specific conditions through CareSearch, an Australian palliative care resource, or simply raise it with your GP at your next appointment.
Paediatric Palliative Care for Children and Young People
Palliative care is also available for children and young people living with life-limiting conditions. Paediatric palliative care takes a whole-family approach, which means support extends to parents and siblings as well as the child.
In Queensland, services through Children's Health Queensland cover physical, emotional, and spiritual care across both hospital and home settings. As a result, families are never left to manage alone.
Palliative Care for Older People in Aged Care
If your loved one lives in an aged care home, they can receive palliative care right where they are. They do not need to relocate to a hospital or hospice to access specialist support.
This means older people can spend their final months in a familiar place, surrounded by the people and routines they know. For families, that familiarity brings genuine comfort during an otherwise painful time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Palliative Care in Queensland
If you still have questions about palliative care, you are not alone in wanting more clarity. Here are answers to some of the things Queensland families ask us most often.
What are the four phases of palliative care?
The four phases are: active disease management, symptom and comfort-focused care, end-of-life care, and bereavement support. Each phase reflects where your loved one is in their illness journey, and the care provided adjusts accordingly.
Is palliative care free in Queensland?
Yes. Palliative care services funded through Queensland Health are available at no cost to patients and families. PalAssist is also a completely free service, with no referral needed to get in touch.
How long before death is palliative care needed?
Palliative care can begin at any point after a life-limiting diagnosis, not only in the final days or weeks. Starting earlier gives your loved one better symptom management and gives your family more time to plan and prepare.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of illness across a range of settings. Hospice care is a specific type of care focused on comfort in the final stages of life, usually when curative treatment is no longer pursued.
How to get in contact with palliative care?
Start with your GP, who can refer your loved one to local palliative care services. You can also contact PalAssist directly on 1800 772 273, seven days a week, for guidance on where to begin.
How PalAssist Connects You to the Right Support
Now that you have a clearer picture of what palliative care involves and how to access it, the next step is reaching out for support specific to your situation.
PalAssist is here to make that first step as simple as possible. Our registered nurses and allied health professionals can connect your family with local palliative care providers and answer your questions. When the time feels right, we can also help you think through advance care planning.
Families we support often tell us they wish they had called sooner. If you are ready to talk, reach out at www.palassist.org.au or call 1800 772 273 between 7am and 7pm.
Disclaimer
This blog provides general health and product information for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always seek guidance from your GP, nurse, continence advisor, or pharmacist regarding your individual needs. If symptoms persist or you’re unsure about product use, consult a qualified healthcare provider.
