Not For Profit Blue Care has won a $55 million tender to provide regional palliative care services alongside Queensland Health.

Starting in October, 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.

“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.

“Blue Care will provide holistic palliative care including home care support, bereavement and support services, telehealth and on-call and 24/7 nursing care, depending on the stage of a person’s illness and the care needed as they approach end of life,” she said.

Cathy Thomas, Group Executive of Aged Care & Community Services at Blue Care parent organisation UnitingCare, said the provider is proud to expand its palliative care services.

“Every Queenslander deserves the peace of mind to be able to receive quality palliative care in the comfort of their own home,” she said.

Blue Care was named Reader’s Digest’s most trusted brand in aged and home care for Queensland this year.