Blue Care to provide end-of-life care in regional Queensland
The Queensland Government has partnered with Blue Care in a $55 million tender to deliver palliative care services in rural and regional areas of the state.
Working alongside Queensland Health, Blue Care will provide palliative care in the Wide Bay, Cairns and Hinterland, North West, Townsville, Mackay, Central West, Central Queensland, Darling Downs, and South West regions through the Hospital at Home program starting in October.
Cathy Thomas, Group Executive of Aged Care & Community Services at Blue Care parent organisation UnitingCare, said the provider – which was named Queensland’s most trusted brand in aged and home care by Reader’s Digest this year – is pleased to be expanding its palliative care services to Queensland’s regions.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath says Blue Care has proven itself in palliative care and has valuable experience serving regional, rural and remote areas.
“This $55 million will fund new community-based palliative care initiatives to increase home-based and after-hours care across nine Hospital and Health Services.