What We Do

In-Patient Palliative Care

Palliative care is about treating the whole person, not just the illness. The person who is dying from a terminal illness is made as comfortable as possible by relieving symptoms of pain as well as supporting their emotional and spiritual needs.

In a home like environment with peaceful surroundings, hospice and respite care is provided 24 hours a day by Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and Assistance Nurses, supported by trained volunteers. Guests receive medical attention by their GPs who are in frequent contact with Nursing staff. Psychosocial support is provided to guests and their families.

Referral can be made by a General Practitioner, relative, nurse, hospital or friend. Cost is by donation, Veterans Affairs covers those entitled and some Private Health Funds will cover.

Home Respite Care

Ipswich Hospice provides Home Respite Care to carers of people receiving Palliative Care in the home setting. A Hospice staff member coordinates the program by organising for a trained Support Volunteer to provide up to four hours a week respite to the carer in the home. This enables the carer to attend appointments, go shopping, do banking etc or to have some spare time around the house.

The aim of this program is to encourage carers to take a short break from their caring role. The Support Volunteers can provide this valuable respite time, but are unable to offer medical or nursing advice, provide treatments, interventions or administer medications, nor perform housework. Referral to other agencies for these services is available upon request.

Bereavement Support

A team of trained, dedicated Hospice Volunteers provide practical, emotional and spiritual support to people in the Ipswich community who have lost a loved one through death.

Programs offered include: Carer & Family support, One to One Bereavement support, Grief counselling, Telephone support, Drop-in Centre, 7 week grief support group and educational workshops. These free services are offered at the Hilda des Arts Community Centre which is located next door to the Hospice.