Palliative Care Services Available on the Gold Coast

Receiving a life-limiting illness diagnosis for a loved one can already be so overwhelming. So it’s completely normal to feel uncertain about your next steps, but you’re in the right place. We, at PalAssist, provide a free service funded by Queensland Health that offers 24-hour phone and online support for families facing any challenges. Our registered nurses and allied health professionals are here to help you understand your options and find the right care.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how palliative care works in Queensland, what services are available on the Gold Coast, and how to get the support your family needs. First, here’s what you need to know about palliative care services and specialists on the Gold Coast.

Palliative Care Gold Coast: Services, Specialists and Access

Palliative care on the Gold Coast includes public hospital teams, community nursing, hospice facilities, and home-based support. All of these services work together to provide comfort and symptom relief for people living with life-limiting conditions. Let’s look at what’s available locally and how your family can access the right care.

What Palliative Care Services Are Available 

Gold Coast families have several options for palliative care services, and the best choice will depend on your loved one’s needs and preferences.

For instance, if your loved one needs hospital-based care, Queensland Health runs a specialist palliative care team at Robina Hospital. This facility has a dedicated 16-bed unit for patients who need closer medical support. However, many families prefer to keep their loved ones at home for as long as possible. In that case, community nurse visits and home-based palliative care services can bring professional support directly to you.

Now, when staying at home is no longer possible, hospice care offers another option. In these settings, patients receive round-the-clock nursing support in a peaceful, home-like environment. This approach makes sure your loved one remains comfortable while receiving the care they need in their final days.

Families living in regional areas don’t miss out either. Telehealth consultations through the Gold Coast clinical hub allow patients to access specialist advice without needing to travel. All these specialist palliative care services are different from general health services. This is because their teams have advanced training in pain management, symptom control, and supporting families through end-of-life care.

The Role of Health Professionals

Palliative care is a team effort, and several health professionals work together to support both patients and their families. This team usually includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and spiritual support workers. Doctors and nurses focus on physical symptoms and pain relief, while social workers and spiritual carers help with emotional and personal needs. 

Your GP stays involved throughout the process, too. They usually work alongside the specialist palliative care team to make sure your loved one receives coordinated medical, symptom, and support care.

How to Access Palliative Care Queensland Health Services

You can access Queensland Health palliative care services through a referral from your GP, a hospital specialist, or a community health team. Once referred, Queensland Health will connect your loved one with the right level of care based on their condition and what’s most important to them. We recommend addressing palliative care needs as early as possible. This way, your family can manage symptoms more effectively and have time to plan and access the right support.

In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology found that people with pancreatic cancer who received early palliative care had fewer emergency room visits. They also had lower use of related healthcare services (like hospital admissions, specialist appointments, and emergency treatments) compared with those who started later. If you’re not sure where to begin, we offer free advice on local palliative care providers and can guide you toward services that fit your family’s situation.

End-of-Life Care Queensland Health: Planning, Costs and Family Support

End-of-life care Queensland Health services provide medical, emotional, and practical support during the final stages of a life-limiting illness. This care can happen in hospitals, hospices, or at home, depending on what works best for your family.  In this section, we’ll discuss what you can expect, how to plan, and where carers can find help.

Understanding End-of-Life Care in Queensland

People often use the terms palliative care and end-of-life care interchangeably, but they mean slightly different things. Palliative care can start at any point after a serious illness diagnosis. It focuses on comfort, pain relief, and quality of life while treatment continues. 

End-of-life care, on the other hand, is a specific part of palliative care that begins when someone is in their final weeks or days. At this stage, the focus moves fully to comfort, dignity, and helping the family through this difficult time. You can access end-of-life care through Queensland Health using both hospital teams and community services. We’ve seen some families feel more comfortable having their loved one in a hospital or hospice where medical staff is always nearby. 

Others prefer home-based care so their loved one can stay in familiar surroundings with family close by. Either way, you’ll have access to nurses, doctors, and support workers trained in this area of care.

Advance Care Planning and Protecting Your Wishes

Advance care planning lets you make decisions now about your future medical care, so others understand your wishes if you can’t speak for yourself later. This gives you control over what happens and protects your values, beliefs, and preferences. It also helps your family, since they won’t have to guess what you would have wanted during an already stressful time. 

We understand if these conversations can feel awkward at first, but you don’t need to cover everything in one sitting. A good starting point is simply talking with your loved ones about what they value the most.  After that, your GP or healthcare team can turn these wishes into a formal document. Queensland Health also has resources available to guide you through this process and make sure everything is legally valid.

Costs, Eligibility, and Carer Support

Public services through Queensland Health are generally free if you hold a Medicare card. This will cover hospital stays, visits from community nurses, and specialist palliative care teams. On the flip side, private palliative care providers may have extra fees attached, so we recommend asking about costs before making any decisions. Your family might also need equipment like a hospital bed or mobility aids. These items are often available through loan schemes at little or no cost. Respite care is another helpful option, which gives carers a short break while their loved one receives temporary professional care elsewhere.

Now, if you’re caring for someone at the end-of-life, we understand how emotionally and physically exhausting it can be. Many carers feel tired, isolated, and overwhelmed even before their loved one passes. That’s why support is available for you as well.  Community groups can provide grief counselling and practical help with daily tasks. And we can connect you with these resources so you don’t have to manage this time alone.

Get Palliative Care Support for Your Loved One on the Gold Coast

So, has this article helped you get a better picture of palliative care on the Gold Coast? If there’s one thing worth remembering, it’s that you don’t wait until things become overwhelming. The earlier palliative care becomes part of your loved one’s care plan, the more support your whole family will have access to. Starting early also means better pain relief, more time to plan, and a stronger focus on quality of life during this difficult time.

When you feel ready to take the next step, there are a few simple ways to move forward. You could speak with your GP or treating specialist about getting a referral.  Another option is to call us at Pal Assist on 1800 772 273. Our registered nurses offer free advice from 7 am to 7 pm, seven days a week. Visit us to learn more about end-of-life care Queensland Health services, and find palliative care Gold Coast providers near you.

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