A person receiving palliative care will have a progressive and far advanced disease with little or no prospect of cure. The aim of palliative care is to achieve the best possible quality of life for the individual patient, their carers and family.
Palliative care
is provided to people of all ages who are coming to the end of their life. The need for palliative care does not depend on any specific medical diagnosis, but on the person's needs. Some of the common medical conditions of people requiring palliative care include cancer, motor neurone disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and end-stage dementia.
Families and carers can also receive support from palliative care services. Families provide much of the care for people who are dying and practical and emotional support for them in this role is critical.
Palliative care services can be provided in the home, in community-based settings like nursing homes, palliative care units, and in hospitals. People who are dying need to be able to move freely between these places in response to their medical care and support needs. The pattern of care will be different for every individual and may depend on factors like geography, services in an area and the needs and desires of the person, their family members and friends.
For information and services in your area, your first point of contact is your local GP. At the public hospitals in the Northern Sydney region, the northern sydney home nursing service has clinical nurse consultants available to provide information and support.
Information and support pack
For those bereaved by suicide or other sudden death. Please view and download this
document here.
NSW Cancer Council
NSW Cancer Council have created a useful guide called
Understanding Palliative Care: A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends. Please
download the guide or visit the
NSW cancer council website.
Palliative Care Australia
Palliative Care Australia is the peak national organisation representing the interests and aspirations of all who share the ideal of quality care at the end of life. Visit their website for information and resources: Visit Palliative Care NSW to download the Directory of Services for NSW.
Government Funded Palliative Care Services
The Commonwealth Government funds organisations to provide care and support to people requiring palliative care and their families in their communities. For more details on the National Palliative Care Program email palliativecare@health.gov.au
the following services may attract a fee.
Bear Cottage, Manly-Warringah
Bear Cottage is NSW's only children's hospice, located on the grounds of St Patrick's Estate in Manly. They offer both respite and palliative care to children and young people with life limiting illnesses and their families.
Other Providers of Palliative Care Services
There are other providers, both private and charity organisations, that provide palliative care support. You will need to check with the specific organisation if you are unsure whether their service is subsidised by the government.
HOME Hospice
HOME Hospice exists to change attitudes and experiences around dying. Most Australians with a terminal illness would prefer to die at home, however most do not, partly because of a lack of community support for those who want to care at home. HOME Hospice enables ordinary people to care for their dying loved ones, assisting families and communities to experience dying as a natural event in a community context, as well as providing a unique opportunity to engage and build community. The Community Mentoring Program can link you to a mentor who has personal experience of caring for a dying loved one. They can give advice, wisdom and guidance to empower you, the carer, in your labour of love. For more information phone Freecall 1800 132 229.
Contact Carer Support
Tel: 02
9462 9488
