About our services
Palliative care is person and family-centred care provided for a person with an active, progressive, advanced disease, with little or no prospect of cure and for whom the primary goal is to optimise the quality of life.
Our aim in palliative care is to achieve the best possible quality of life for the individual patient, their carers and family.
Southern NSW LHD's Specialist Palliative Care services work with GPs and other health care professionals, families and other carers to support you and those closest to you in keeping with your individual preferences. Our specialist-trained nurses and doctors provide care in collaboration with other health professionals and providers to ensure individual needs are respected and met.
Palliative care identifies and treats symptoms that might be physical, emotional, spiritual or social. Because palliative care is provided based on individual needs, the services offered will differ but may include:
- relief of pain and other symptoms e.g. vomiting, shortness of breath
- equipment needed to aid care at home
- assistance for families to come together to talk about sensitive issues
- planning for future medical treatment decisions and goals of care
- links to other services such as home help and financial support
- support for people to meet cultural obligations
- support for emotional, social and spiritual concerns
- counselling and grief support
- referrals to respite care services.
Palliative care can be provided at home, in hospitals and residential care facilities, in group homes or wherever a person is located.
How palliative care helps you
We can help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life when you've been told you have a serious illness that can't be cured. Palliative care can assist with conditions like:
- cancer
- motor neurone disease
- end‑stage kidney or lung disease.
For some people, palliative care may be helpful soon after diagnosis, even during treatment aimed at extending life.
If you have questions about palliative care, you can contact your local community health centre and ask to talk to the palliative care nurse. You can also visit Palliative Care Australia.
Referral to our services
Anyone can make a referral to our palliative care services, as long as the patient has given their informed consent. A doctor's referral is required for a consultation with a palliative care doctor.
Referrals can be submitted through the Community Health Central Intake Service
To enquire about local services, or provide a handover, see our local Service Contacts.
Palliative Care Bereavement Service
This is a grief and loss counselling service for the families and carers of people who are cared for by any Southern NSW LHD specialist palliative care team.
You can contact the service directly to access support. Calls and email enquiries are always welcome.
Call (02) 6150 7579 or email SNSWLHD-PCBereavementService@health.nsw.gov.au
If you are seeking support, but not already linked with our palliative care services contact NSW Integrating Grief Program.
Contact us
Specialist palliative care services are based in Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Eurobodalla, Cooma, and Bega Valley. They provide outreach services to all communities and facilities across Southern NSW LHD.
Service contacts
Our services operate Monday to Friday during business hours. Weekend and Public Holiday support is available as required.
| Service | Contact information |
|---|---|
Queanbeyan Palliative Care
| Phone: (02) 6150 7172 Email: SNSWLHD-queanbeyanchc-palliativecare@health.nsw.gov.au |
Goulburn Palliative Care | Phone: (02) 4825 4700 |
Eurobodalla Palliative Care | Phone: (02) 4474 1561 |
Cooma Palliative Care
| Phone: (02) 6455 3201 |
Bega Valley Palliative Care
| Phone: (02) 6491 9800 |
| Community Health Central Intake Service | Phone: 1800 999 880 |
Southern NSW LHD Specialist Palliative Care Program (District-wide) | Postal address: PO Box 1845, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620 Phone: (02) 6150 7576 |
Palliative care volunteers
Specially trained palliative care volunteers play a crucial role in palliative care. They undergo careful training and work closely with the palliative care team, providing social, emotional, and practical assistance. Their goal is to reduce distress and improve the quality of life during the last 24 months, making a positive impact on the community.
Our palliative care strategic plan
The Southern NSW LHD Palliative Care Strategic Plan (2023 – 2027) maps out how our service can grow and improve into the future to meet our community's end of life care needs. Our plan articulates four priority areas for the service:
1. Safe, effective and high quality care in the patient’s setting of choice
2. Strengthened workforce capacity and capability
3. Enhanced governance and evidence-based practice
4. Families and carers are recognised and valued.
If you have any questions or feedback about our strategic plan contact SNSWLHD-PalliativeCareNetwork@health.nsw.gov.au
Resources
Palliative care resources with helpful information and support for people and health professionals.
Advance Care Planning Australia offers online courses and workshops nationwide. These are made for aged care workers, health professionals, and the public to learn about planning for future care.
CareSearch gives reliable information about palliative care. It helps patients, carers, families, and health professionals.
End of Life Directions for Ages Care (ELDAC) wants to make care better for older Australians. Health and aged care workers can find information and resources for palliative care and planning for older people and their families.
Motor Neurone Disease NSW provides information, support, and education for people with motor neurone disease, along with their families, friends, and carers in NSW, ACT, Gold Coast, and NT.
NSW Health has published a booklet with an Advance Care Directive form. It has information to help you fill it out.
The NSW Paediatric Palliative Care Program website has information for patients, families, and health professionals caring for a child with a life-limiting illness.
Palliative Care Australia is the top national group for palliative care. It represents everyone working for high-quality palliative care for all Australians. They work with patients, groups, and workers to improve access to palliative care.
NSW Integrating Grief Program offers free telephone counselling and support for the bereaved.