- Understanding your relative or friend's illness
- Having time for yourself in the day
- Managing your relative or friend's symptoms
- Help with financial, legal and work issues
- Providing personal care for your relative or friend
- Dealing with your feelings and worries
- Who to contact when you're concerned about your friend or relative
- Looking after your own health
- Equipment to help care for your relative or friend
- Beliefs or spiritual concerns
- Talking with your relative or friend about their illness
- Practical help in the home
- What to expect in the future when caring for a friend or relative
- Getting a break from caring overnight
- Young carers
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers
- LGBTIQ+ community
Who to contact when you're concerned about your friend or relative
If you are concerned about a change in your relative or friend’s symptoms and feelings or you are unsure of which medicines to give, it’s important for you to know that support and advice from a palliative care nurse is available just a phone call away. Depending on your situation, the nurse will be able to give you information over the phone, organise a nurse or doctor visit or direct you to your GP.
Here are some useful contact details for carers in the Geelong region:
Palliative Care Program
Call 03 4215 5700 to speak with your palliative care team. Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm (excluding public holidays).
Further information on the Barwon Health Palliative Care Program.
Palliative Care Program – after business hours support and advice
Call 03 4215 5700 to access after business hours palliative care support – for carers and clients of Community Palliative Care.
Barwon Health Palliative Care is in partnership with Caritas Christie Hospice, who provide after business hours advice and are able to arrange a Barwon Health nurse to visit you after hours if required.
Helpful tips on Coping at home after business hours and using the after business hour service.
General Practitioners (GP)
You can contact your GP for advice.
Health translations
For translation services and resources, visit: http://www.healthtranslations.vic.gov.au.
Last Modified: Monday, 18 February 2019