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Strengthening Compassionate Care Across Regional Queensland

Throughout April, Louise O’Neill, CEO of Palliative Care Queensland (PCQ), travelled across Northern and Central Queensland to connect with communities, clinicians, government officials and local organisations, understanding current access to palliative care and building confidence in conversations around dying, death and grief.  

Louise was joined by PCQ Vice President, Karen Gower, a retired nurse practitioner. Together from Mackay southwards, they met with hospitals, hospices and community organisations across the regions, creating space for meaningful conversations about local challenges, opportunities and the future of palliative care in Queensland.

From coastal centres to regional towns, the tour has focused on listening, learning and supporting the community delivering and experiencing care. As part of this work, Louise and Karen met with Natalie Marr MP, David Batt MP and Nigel Dalton MP, and PCQ thanks them for taking the time to meet, listen and engage in important discussions about palliative care needs and priorities in their communities. Their interest and support are vital to strengthening palliative care across regional Queensland.  

In Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, Louise and Karen met with volunteers and healthcare teams across hospital, hospices, specialist services and aged care facilities, alongside local leaders, reinforcing the importance of strong, community connected care and the impact of programs like Ambulance Wish Queensland and PCQ’s strength in advocating for more and better palliative care.  

Education remained central throughout the tour. Locals in Mackay, Gladstone, Moura and Biloela came together for Last Aid training –practical, accessible sessions that build the skills and confidence needed to support someone at the end-of-life. In Rockhampton, Louise and Karen delivered our newest education program Navigating the Journey, at Fitzroy Community Hospice, helping the community understand what to expect and how to access care.  

PCQ sincerely thanks Aurizon for supporting the delivery of Last Aid training in Gladstone, Moura and Biloela, and the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network for supporting Last Aid training in Mackay. This support plays a vital role in strengthening local capability and confidence to care for people at the end of life.  

This work reflects PCQ’s commitment to strengthening compassionate communities across the state, helping build a Queensland where people feel informed, supported and connected in caring for one another. 

By investing in local relationships and increasing access to community education, PCQ continues to support a more confident, capable and compassionate Queensland.