What we offer
Karuna’s Specialist Palliative Care is a free in-home consultation service designed to support individuals and families through life’s most challenging chapter – offering expert care, comfort, and connection at home.
Our palliative care team provides holistic support tailored to each person’s unique needs, focusing on quality of life, dignity, and choice. We continue to support families through grief and bereavement, so you and your family can focus on what truly matters.
Our service is delivered in line with the National Palliative Care Standards and is accredited against the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards.
Expert medical support at home
Our palliative care doctors provide expert medical support focused on comfort, symptom control, and quality of life in your place of choice.
Working closely with your GP and/or Specialist, the wider Karuna care team and other healthcare professionals will help guide decisions, optimise treatment, and ensure care is aligned with your personal goals and values.
We have a range of appointment options to suit your needs and lifestyle, whether in your home, over the phone, or through a virtual consultation, so accessing specialist care is always available.
Who we care for
Our goal is to combine care, education, and connection so anyone impacted by life-limiting illness or loss feels informed, supported, and empowered.
Palliative Care recipients
Our Specialist Palliative Care service is available to people of any age who are experiencing deteriorating health due to a life-limiting illness, even if still undergoing active treatment.
Carers and Families
Our Carers Support Services are available to anyone who is providing care and support to someone with a life-limiting illness.
Workshops and Education
We believe having safe and supportive conversations to normalise dying is instrumental in shaping how we cope with death. We work with the wider community to build death literacy, understanding of grief, and confidence in responding to life-limiting illness through workshops, educational programs, and reflective sessions.
Buddhism teaches us that all sentient beings are to be cared for with respect and compassion. Karuna supports people of all backgrounds, beliefs and identities without prejudice or judgement. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- LGBTIQA+ community.
- Refugees and asylum seekers.
- People with disabilities.
- People of all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
What to expect with Karuna
Get in touch
Quick eligibility check
Initial meeting – phone or home
Care plan begins
Ongoing support until the end
Eligibility & Costs
Our at-home palliative care services are best suited to people who:
- Have poor or deteriorating health because of one or multiple life-limiting conditions, despite treatment and management.
- Wish to focus on quality of life, strengthening their physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being.
- Want to be connected to a GP or specialist doctor.
- Have consented to a referral to Karuna for in-home support and/or when consent is provided by their appointed decision maker.
- Reside within the Karuna catchment area of Brisbane central/north, Redcliffe, Caboolture and/or Bribie Island* (refer to map).
People referred to Karuna who reside within our catchment area will receive care at no cost to them.
*If the person resides outside of this catchment area, they still may be able to receive Karuna in-home palliative care; however, there may be a fee involved.
If you need urgent palliative care support, please ask your GP or treating doctor to contact us on (07) 3632 8200.
Karuna’s position on Voluntary Assisted Dying
At Karuna, we don’t take part in Queensland’s Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) administration process. This is because it doesn’t align with the Buddhist values that guide our work, including our belief in the dignity and value of every life.
Even so, we want you to know that Karuna is here for you and your family, no matter what. We’ll never withdraw our support, regardless of the choices you make regarding Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD).
Our role is to help you live as comfortably and meaningfully as possible. We focus on easing symptoms, reducing suffering, and supporting your quality of life. While Karuna doesn’t participate in VAD, our care can continue alongside the VAD team’s involvement.
You will always have our support.
Questions we’re often asked about Palliative Care
Karuna gave us the support and peace we didn’t know we needed. They made home feel safe again.– Family member of a client
