Palliative care services
Palliative care can help anyone who has a serious terminal illness. It can help you live as fully and as comfortably as possible.
Palliative care can help improve your quality of life. It can also help someone who is nearing the end of their life and is dying, as well as their family and carers.
This page has information about palliative care services available in the ACT.
Primary services: clinical
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Community Care Program | Community Nursing and Allied Health teams give care to people who may have palliative care needs. We work with your GP who gives you medical support. We will refer you to a palliative care service if we can’t manage your symptoms. You can talk with a community nurse for more information. |
| ACT Motor Neurone Disease Service | This service provides care and support to people with motor neurone disease (MND). Their team includes doctors, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dieticians, and a MND Regional Advisor. The clinic is based at the University of Canberra Hospital in Bruce. |
| Canberra Health Service Renal Supportive Care Clinic | Renal supportive care is a personalised care program that cares for people with kidney disease. The clinic will work with you to find out what your symptoms are and help you manage them. The team works alongside palliative care to help you have the best quality of life and plan for your future. |
Primary services: non-clinical
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Palliative Care ACT | Palliative Care ACT advocates for and promotes best quality palliative care in the ACT. The team provide education within the community and their volunteer service supports people and their families with care, compassion, respect and dignity. |
The Palliative Care Program provides case management, in-home support and community-based support. They offer this service to people at the end of their life who wish to die at home or stay at home for as long as possible. They do not provide medical/clinical help. |
Community service providers
There are a range of community services that support members of their community with practical and counselling support, including when they may be at end of life. These include services such as Cancer Council, Dementia Australia or Meridian.
Multicultural community leaders may also be able to support members of their communities who are palliative and looking for cultural specific information. Faith communities may also have counselling and practical support services.
Palliative Care ACT has a comprehensive directory of services that provide support for people with palliative care needs or their family and carers in the ACT.
The below organisations provide valued support either specifically for carers of people who are at end of life, or as part of their service.
Private service providers
There are a range of private service providers who can help people at end of their life. These include death doulas, and allied health professionals including physiotherapists, massage therapists and bereavement counsellors.
Go to the HealthDirect website for listings.
Specialist services
Canberra Health Services offer a range of specialist palliative care services for children, young people and adults. You must have a referral to access specialist palliative care services.
For more information visit the Canberra Health Services website.
Paediatric Palliative Care Service
The role of the Paediatric Palliative Care Service is to make sure quality palliative care is provided for all children or young people living with a life-limiting illness and to support their families.
A paediatric palliative care nurse is based at Canberra Hospital and is able to work alongside of your paediatrician and the treating team to provide support either in hospital or at home.
For more information visit the Canberra Health Services website.
NSW residents
If you are a NSW resident, you can access support and information through Southern NSW’s Specialist Palliative Care services or call 02 6150 7576.