SPECIALIST INFORMATION

SUNSHINE COAST HEALTH SERVICE DISTRICT (SC HSD) SPECIALIST PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE
Phone: 5470 5333
Fax: 5470 5341
Email: Nursing Unit Manager - Frances Brewster
Hours: Monday to Friday  8:00am - 4:30pm
Location: Medicross Building, Hospital Road, Nambour
Postal: PO Box 2502, Nambour West, Qld 4560


WHEN TO SEEK ADVICE? NEEDS BASED REFERRAL

When to Refer

Referral for specialist palliative care is for complex problems, or if the patient needs additional support, for example:

  • Pain or symptoms not responding to usual management;
  • Complex or intensive nursing needs;
  • Complex psychosocial issues related to the life-limiting illness;
  • Assistance needed with decision making about end-of-life choices, or to plan for crisis;
  • Access to the resources of a palliative care service such as inpatient palliative care admission, volunteer support, bereavement follow up, etc.
Also, if the primary treating doctor wants support, or an opportunity to discuss a palliative care issue, contacting the Palliative Care Team for advice or simply to debrief is very appropriate.
To speak with a Palliative Care Consultant during office hours, contact the office on 5470 5333 and advice will be given for direct access.  After hours, contact Nambour General Hospital on 5470 6600 for contact advice. 

REFERRAL CRITERIA
  • General referral and input from the team: Anyone with a life limiting illness with a prognosis of two years or less;
  • For funding: patients within the last 3 months of their life - medical summary and documentation required to support this.
REFERRAL PROCESS
Referrals are accepted verbally or in writing from patient, family or a Health Professional.  If the GP or Health Professional has not referred, then a medical summary will be sought to determine medical condition and status.  All patients MUST be aware of the referral and have given consent for team involvement.
If input is required specifically from the Palliative Care Consultant, this should be clearly stated on the referral letter. RReferrals are triaged for home visit or outpatient appointment.  Specialist Outpatient Clinics are at Caloundra, Nambour and Gympie General Hospitals.
All other referrals (those not named to either Consultant) are triaged by the CNC/and Palliative Care Consultant on duty.  
Referral for other health professionals such as:
  • CN or CNC;
  • Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist;
  • Volunteer Coordinator.

SERVICES

ACCESSING PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE FUNDED HOME NURSING, EQUIPMENT AND HOME CARE

Criteria:

  • For funding patients within the last three months of their life - medical summary and documentation required to support this.

Guidelines:

  • Funding is available for domiciliary nursing;
  • Limited funding for equipment on a needs basis - maximum three pieces and usually beds, mattresses, mobile shower commodes;
  • Limited funding for consumables.
  • Home help, arranged by the Service, can be funded for two hours per fortnight over an eight week period. 

ACCESSING HOME OXYGEN

Criteria:

  • Oxygen funding for those patients within the last three months of life; 
  • The services does not fund portable oxygen; 
  • The patients may self fund with the oxygen provider;
  • For end stage cardiac and COPD clients, it is preferable to access MASS/DVA funding in the first instance;
  • The patient is supported by a domiciliary nursing service.

Required GP documentation:

  • All requests for patient home oxygen require a medical summary and request for home oxygen.  

GP letter to include:

  • Patient details including diagnosis, current medical status and stating that home oxygen is required;
  • Oxygen details including the flow rate (lpm) and hours/day and equipment required (up to 4 hrs/day E size cylinder, above 4 hrs/day oxygen concentrator with back-up cylinder).

ACCESSING WEEKLY MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM CASE REVIEW BY TELECONFERENCING

The service aims to provide strong partnerships and a collaborative approach with General Practice.  GPs are encouraged to contact the service to arrange participation in case reviews. 

  • Outreach Service MDT meetings: Weekly case reviews on Wednesday 9:00-11:00am.
    Please phone 5470 5333;
  • Dove Palliative Care Inpatient MDT meeting: Weekly case reviews on Mondays 10:30-11:30am. 
    Please phone 5436 8645 (direct line to MDT meeting).

ACCESS TO PSYCHOSOCIAL AND BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

A database is held of all bereaved families known to the service and letters and leaflets forwarded.  Follow up offered as required. Contact the Sunshine Coast Health Service District Palliative Care Service on 5470 5333.

PUBLIC HOSPITAL SUPPORT FOR YOUR PATIENT

Admission Protocol for Dove Palliative Care Inpatient Unit - situated at Caloundra Hospital

To arrange a hospital admission or procedure:

Nambour and Caloundra General Hospitals
Office Hours: Contact Palliative Care Registrar at NGH Palliative Care Outreach Team on 5470 5815
After Hours:  Contact switchboard - NGH on 5470 6600 and ask for the Palliative Care Consultant on duty
Generally admission to these hospitals is via DEM

Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital
Office Hours: Contact the Medical Superintendent via Maleny Hospital switchboard on 5420 5000
After Hours:  Contact Maleny Hospital switchboard and nursing staff will advise 

Noosa Hospital
Office Hours: Contact on-duty physician (rotational) via Noosa Hospital switchboard on 5455 9200 
After Hours:  All public patients managed via DEM. If private patient, GP to contact Bed Manager via switchboard 

Gympie Hospital
Office Hours: Admission via DEM. Contact Gympie General Hospital switchboard on 5489 8444.
After Hours:  Admission via DEM

REFERRAL TO PRIVATE PALLIATIVE CARE CONSULTANTS
GPs wishing to contact Dr Louise Welch or Dr Fabio Brecciaroli are advised to contact Palliative Care Services at NGH on 5470 5333 (or NGH switchboard after hours 5470 6600)

HEART FAILURE SERVICE, SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND HEALTH

Contact Tracey Nunan, Clinical Nurse Consultant, to assist GPs in management of their patients with heart failure at home by:  
  • conferring about management;
  • acting as a link to the Specialist Heart Failure Physician and/or Cardiologist;
  • arranging home visits in Sunshine Coast area by specialist heart failure service nurses to provide education and support to patients in managing their condition;
  • supporting GP education.

Mobile 0439 761 098 or email tracey_nunan@health.qld.gov.au  
Service based at Nambour Community Health Centre

RENAL SERVICES, SUNSHINE COAST - QUEENSLAND HEALTH

Contact Annette Wilson, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Nurse to assist GPs with management of patients with or at risk of developing CKD:
Phone: 5470 5695 or email Annette_Wilson@health.qld.gov.au
Service based at Nambour General Hospital 

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE (MND)

Motor Neurone Disease Regional Advisor:
  • Provides information and links people with local health and community services
  • Supports people living with MND and their families by talking through concerns at the point of diagnosis and when needs change
  • Equipment loan service 
  • Provides information and education on MND to health providers

Contact Monika Wilson on 5457 3329 or 0428 777 809 or email ma.wilson@optusnet.com.au

PAEDIATRIC HAEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY SERVICE, SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND HEALTH

Assistance for GPs in care of children with haematology/oncology conditions:

  • Service is a shared care model where children are under the care of Royal Children's Hospital;
  • Clinical and supportive care provided locally in collaboration and supervision with the Specialist Service at  Royal Children's Hospital Brisbane;
  • Contacts:
    • Part-time Paediatrician for haematology/oncology referrals following diagnosis is Dr Penny Cruickshanks (available Wednesdays and Thursdays). Urgent enquiries to be directed to on-call Paediatrician NGH;
    • Part-time Acting Regional Case Manager, Paediatric haematology/oncology is Linda Gaynor RN - phone 5470 5837 or email lynda_gaynor@health.qld.gov.au (available Mondays and Wednesdays).