Palliative Care

Living with a serious illness can be challenging. Our specialist palliative care teams provide support, advice and care to help people live as well as possible, according to what matters most to them. We work alongside families, carers and healthcare providers across the Grampians region.

Grampians Health provides specialist palliative medical and nursing support to individuals and families throughout the Grampians region.

Close-up of one person gently holding another person's hand in a supportive care setting.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care helps people live as fully and comfortably as possible when living with a life-limiting illness. It is an approach that focuses on improving quality of life for people, their families and carers.

Palliative care supports people to identify what matters most to them and helps them achieve their goals, whether that is managing symptoms, maintaining independence, spending time at home, attending important events, or planning for future care.

Research shows that early access to palliative care can improve quality of life and may help some people live longer while receiving care that is aligned with their goals and priorities.

Who we care for

We provide specialist palliative care for people living with a life-limiting illness, supporting them to live as well as possible. We work in partnership with patients, families, carers and healthcare providers across the Grampians region. We recognise the important role families and carers play and offer support, education and guidance throughout the palliative care journey.

When should Palliative Care begin?

Palliative care can be introduced at any stage of a serious, life-limiting illness and is not limited to end-of-life care. Many people receive palliative care alongside treatments that aim to manage or slow their illness.

Early access to palliative care can help people manage symptoms, navigate complex healthcare decisions and maintain quality of life.

What you can expect

Every person's experience is different. Our team takes the time to understand your goals, values and preferences, and what matters most to you. We work with you, your family and carers to provide care that supports your physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual and social wellbeing. Support may include:

management of pain and other symptoms such as nausea, breathlessness and fatigue
support to remain as independent and comfortable as possible
access to equipment and resources to support care at home
assistance with care planning and future healthcare decisions
support for families and carers
referral and connection to community, social and financial support services
cultural, emotional and spiritual care
counselling, grief and bereavement support
access to respite and additional support services when needed

End-of-life care

End-of-life care is one part of the palliative care journey. It focuses on supporting a person when they are approaching the last weeks, days or hours of life. During this time, our team works closely with the person, their family and carers to ensure care is compassionate, coordinated and aligned with the person's wishes and goals.

Support continues for families and loved ones after death through grief and bereavement services.

Care options

We provide specialist palliative care in a range of settings, including in hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential aged care facilities and people’s homes.

Gandarra Palliative Care Unit (Ballarat)

Gandarra Palliative Care Unit is an 11-bed inpatient unit located in Ballarat. It is a comfortable, home-like environment where specially trained staff care for people with life-limiting illnesses.

Patients may be admitted for assessment, symptom management, psychological support for themselves or their families or for end-of-life care. Our team is committed to providing compassionate, person-centred care in a comfortable and welcoming environment for patients, families, carers and friends.

What to expect?

Gandarra is staffed by a specialist palliative care team, including palliative care physicians, medical staff and nurses who provide 24-hour care and support.

In addition, there is a multidisciplinary team who support care, including social workers, pastoral care workers, pharmacists, psychiatrists, psychologists, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dieticians and podiatrists.

Prior to admission, a visit to Gandarra can be arranged by appointment so that patients and families can familiarise themselves with the staff and facilities.

Access and referrals

Referrals for in-hospital care at Gandarra must be made to the accepting palliative care consultant. They can be accessed by calling Gandarra directly;
- Phone: 03 5320 3895
- Gandarra staff will direct the call to the accepting consultant
Patients, families or carers who are seeking admission to Gandarra, please speak to your primary care doctor.

Grampians Palliative Care – Regional Consultancy

The Grampians Palliative Care Regional Consultancy team works closely with local community palliative care providers, GPs, and other healthcare professionals to strengthen the delivery of compassionate, person-centred palliative care across the region.

We provide support across hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential aged care services and people's homes, helping to ensure care is accessible, coordinated and responsive to each person's needs and preferences.

Alongside in-person and Telehealth consultations, our team delivers education, contributes to palliative care research, and serves as a trusted resource for multidisciplinary teams across the Grampians region.

Access and referrals

Healthcare providers can fax a Grampians Palliative Care referral form (completed by the primary care medical practitioner) to Central Intake on 03 5320 3893 OR call the triage phone on 0408 612 699.

For access to Outpatient Clinics, GPs can fax a Grampians Palliative Care referral form or a detailed referral letter with their provider number to the Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic at 03 5320 3080.

Referral form - printable

Referral form - fillable

Contact

Phone: 03 5320 6453
Fax: 03 5320 6493
Email: gpcballaratadmin@gh.org.au
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.00am - 4.30pm (excluding public holidays)

Grampians Palliative Care – Community

Grampians Palliative Care - Community is a community-based service providing specialist palliative care support to people living at home across the Wimmera region, covering the local government areas of Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and the Rural City of Horsham and district.

Our team supports patients and their families and carers at home, in aged care facilities and while in hospital. The Grampians Palliative Care Community team works in partnership with local doctors, nurses, aged care providers and allied health professionals to deliver coordinated, holistic and person-centred care.

Access and Referrals

Referrals can be made by health professionals and through self referrals.

Click here to make a referral

Contact

Phone: 03 5381 9363 (Horsham)
Email: gpchorsham@gh.org.au

*Community Palliative Care for Ballarat residents is provided by Ballarat Hospice Care Incorporated. You can contact them here.