Karuna services

Karuna Hospice Service provides person and family centred home-based (where you live) compassionate, specialised palliative care to patients with active, progressive and advanced disease, who have little or no prospect of a cure. The Karuna team understands the impact of a terminal diagnosis on individuals, their carers and family members. Therefore, Karuna care aims to:

  • Optimise quality of life
  • Alleviate pain and suffering
  • Provide care that that is tailored to individual and families needs
  • Enhance emotional and spiritual well-being
  • Respect end of life wishes.

We are committed to providing an inclusive service that is open to people of all ages, faiths, genders, cultural backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ identities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Service Hours and Location
The service is offered seven days a week at no cost and currently covers the Brisbane’s Northern suburbs and into Caboolture, Redcliffe and Bribie Island.

Clinical team
The Karuna team consists of specialist palliative care nurses, a palliative doctor, social workers, spiritual care worker and counsellors. This multidisciplinary team works in collaboration with your GP and/or specialist to provide the following services:

  • Assessment of health, social and emotional needs
  • Pain and symptom management
  • After hours nursing support
  • Emotional support and counselling
  • Bereavement support
  • Spiritual care
  • Practical and social support
  • Carer education, training and support
  • Linkage to other community and social services
  • Volunteer Support Service

Eligibility and referrals
To be eligible for the service the person needs to:

  • have a life limiting illness and prognosis.
  • require symptom management.
  • consent to palliative care referral or have an appointed Enduring Power of Attorney who agrees on their behalf
  • have the support of carer at home if remaining at home for the end-of-life phase
  • live within the Karuna catchment area

A GP or medical specialist can complete referrals. You can also self-refer by completing a self-referral enquiry HERE.

If you are needing urgent palliative care support, please ask your treating doctor to contact us directly on 07 3632 8300.