Paediatric Palliative Care Service

The Paediatric Palliative Care Service provides physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological support to children who have a life-limiting illness. Care focuses on quality of life – it does not mean withdrawing all treatment. Active interventions such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, medication regimes or special diets may help to relieve symptoms and improve a child’s quality of life.

We also provide support to families (including siblings) of children with a life-limiting illness. Palliative care can be provided in a number of places including the home, children’s hospital, local hospital and hospice. Our services include:

• managing pain and symptoms
• care coordination
• home visits
• school visits
• referral to additional specialists
• links to community support services
• assistance with equipment needs
• telehealth phone calls and video conferences
• practical and emotional support
• pastoral care
• bereavement support.

Clinics

Paediatric Palliative Care
Level 2 (2e), Queensland Children’s Hospital, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane, 4101

Who can access this service?

New patients

Referrals are accepted up to 16 years of age (prior to 16th birthday).

Existing patients with complex care needs

Referrals are accepted up to their 18th birthday (patients are usually transitioned to adult services by this time).

Catchment area

This service is available to children living in Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Do I need a referral?

You will need a formal referral to access this service.

How do I get a referral?

You will need a doctor (general practitioner or paediatrician) to make a referral to the service for any:

• children with a life-limiting illness
• families of children with a life-limiting illness.

Other referral information

We suggest that both parents attend the initial appointment.

Please contact the Patient Call Centre to confirm or change appointments.
t: 1300 762 831

Information for health professionals

Referral instructions

Referring doctors should ask both parents to attend the initial appointment.

Urgent referrals

Contact the staff specialists (Dr Anthony Herbert or Dr Jean Kelly) or the paediatric fellow through the hospital switchboard.
t: 07 3068 1111

Supporting information

Palliative Care in Paediatrics