Palliative and hospice care services
Specialist Palliative Care in the Barwon South Western region of Victoria
The consortium’s member health agencies within the Barwon South Western Region offer a wide range of palliative and hospice care services for people with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers.
From people wanting to receive palliative care within their own home, to those in an inpatient environment, expert staff will help you find the option that best suits your individual circumstances.
Because palliative care takes a holistic approach, the services are also there to support family, friends and carers, as well as aiding health professionals to help their clients achieve the best quality of life possible.
Services offer a wide range of support including health care, emotional support, advice, referrals, and education programs. For more information on palliative care services across the region, please contact the consortium or your local specialist palliative care provider.
Palliative services include:
Community palliative care: Offered by the six consortium members across the region, it provides holistic care and support in people’s homes or outpatient clinics. This approach encompasses a range of support and care including nursing care, respite, symptom management assessment, allied health care, advice, and equipment.
Inpatient palliative care: Provided in hospitals, aged-care facilities and hospices, this service is for patients with complex issues around symptom management or those needing end-of-life care. Inpatient palliative care is available at Barwon Health, Colac Area Health, Portland District Health, South West Healthcare and Western District Health Service.
Acute palliative care consultancy team: Based at University Hospital Geelong, this service is available to inpatients and those with outpatient appointments across the health organisation’s acute areas. Delivered by a specialist team of palliative care medical and nursing staff, it offers pain and symptom management advice, assessment for both community and inpatient palliative care services and medical reviews. It is an expert support for treating teams to use in the management of patient care.
Regional palliative care consultancy: Barwon Health and South West Healthcare provide teams for specialist consultations to health professionals working in palliative care across the Barwon South Western Region. Aimed at enhancing patient care, the consultancy service assesses patients, makes recommendations and is a strong support to providers of palliative care services.
After-hours assistance: Access to after-hours phone and nursing support for palliative care patients, their families and carers needing help and advice.
Outpatient clinics: Provide a multi-disciplinary approach to assessment, planning and care management for people diagnosed with a life-threatening illness who are beginning their palliative care journey.
Grief and bereavement services: Providing support for the client and their carers, including family following the death of their loved one.
Palliative care education programs: Provided for carers, volunteers and healthcare professionals.