QUEANBEYAN PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative Care is the "care and support of people who are suffering from an illness from which no cure can be anticipated"* and includes caring for the family, friends and other carers. Palliative Care clients are living longer and better due to the advances of medicines and technology and therefore extra help is sometimes required for support in the home. Palliative Care offers support and assistance to clients and their families and friends to enable them to live comfortably and feel supported.

*Palliative Care Australia

The Team

We are a multidisciplinary team who work together for the holistic care and support of the client and their carers.

1. Nurses
2. Counsellor: assists with the adjustment to diagnosis and life changes, grief and loss issues and financial assistance
3. Support Workers: for companionship, small errands and chores and to offer transport to your appointments/treatments; available for in home respite – up to 4hours a week
4. Your GP
5. Your Specialist
6. Other Allied Health Professionals as required

About the Service at Queanbeyan

We are comprised of a small team of nurses, a counsellor and Support Workers. We work in conjunction with and liaise with your GP and other Specialists. We cover a large area, the Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla Shires. The level of our involvement depends on your level of need, and we will increase our services when/if needed. Home visits by the Palliative Care Service are free of charge, however, if you need extra services from HACC, Meals on Wheels etc, then the fee is negotiated between you and them.

What the Palliative Care Service CAN do

1. Offer emotional and psychosocial support in the home
2. Provide practical assistance with showering, dressings, etc
3. Liaise with your GP and Specialists to pre-empt any problems that may occur, trouble shoot any problems as they occur and attempt to fix problems once they have occurred
4. Refer you to other agencies if required
5. Offer in home respite during the day (may take time to set up)

What the Palliative Care Service CANNOT do

1. Give injections without prior approval by GPs or Specialists
2. Give injections if there are no injectable medications in the home
3. Unfortunately, due to the number of clients that we see during the day, and the large area we cover, we are unable to stay with you for prolonged periods of time. We are sensitive to your needs and can provide extra visits if/when they are needed.
4. Please be aware that there may be delays at times.

To contact us

Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm

To contact us any time during the day, please call the Health Centre on

6298 9233 and leave a message. If the matter is urgent, the Office Manager will contact us immediately and we will return your call as soon as possible.

After Hours and Public Holidays

If there are any problems, contact either your Doctors surgery or the Accident and Emergency Department at Queanbeyan Hospital on 6298 9211. Alternatively, if you are having treatment at another Hospital, contact the Doctors there. You are welcome to ring Community Health on 6298 9233 and leave a message if it is not urgent.

Referrals

Referrals can be made to the Service by anyone: Doctors, family members, friends, clients; however the Service will only see clients who will accept our support. To make a referral, contact the Queanbeyan Community Health Centre Intake Office on (02) 6298 9233 during office hours.

Queanbeyan Community Health

Palliative Care Service

Coordinator:

Sue Wood

Palliative Care Nurse/

Volunteer Coordinator:

Palliative Care Nurse:

Sally Hearder

Counsellor:

Jan Emerton

Queanbeyan NSW 2620

Ph: 02 6298 9233

Fax: 02 6299 7963

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