$700,000 required to provide 'vital' palliative care

'Godsend': Queensland hospice needs funding boost to keep end-of-life service alive Mon 1 Jun 2026 at 7:50pm In short: Residents are calling for the state government to provide extra funding to save a hospice facility from entering voluntary administration in Hervey Bay. The Fraser Coast Hospice needs an extra $720,000 to cover its annual operating costs. What's next? The board of directors have until next week to find a potential donor. A free palliative care facility in regional Queensland that has treated 950 people in five years says without a "big bucket of money" its doors will close in a week. The Fraser Coast Hospice board announced on Friday it would enter voluntary administration on June 10. The six-bed residential hospice, 300 kilometres north of Brisbane, is the only facility of its kind in the region providing end-of-life care for residents and ongoing support for families, free of charge. Board chairperson Ross Zelow said on Monday another $60,000 per month or $720,000 annually was needed to cover operational costs. Mr Zelow said the service operated on state government funding and donations from community fundraisers. He hoped the shortfall would be sourced before the facility was forced to close. "Whether it's one big donor or a number of small donations from knights in shining armour that can donate continuously each month," Mr Zelow said. "It's the big bucket of money that we've got to try and find … so we can open it [the hospice] up." 'Godsend' service Hamish Thompson from Tasmania said the service was a "godsend" for his late mother who was referred to the hospice earlier this year after a terminal lung cancer diagnosis. "They managed to do this incredibly delicate thing, which is about enabling people to have a private space that felt like being at home," he said. "They were sensitive, gently inquiring about how we were feeling … it's a huge gift." Fraser Coast deputy mayor Lachlan Cosgrove had first-hand experience with the hospice after a loved one died in January 2025. "The hospice is not a service that you want to know about or want to think about but if you need it, it provides the dignity and care that families need for their loved ones who are passing onto the next life." Councillor Cosgrove called on the state government to provide a financial lifeline for the hospice. "This is a fundamental, not only healthcare need, but a human need to treat our community with care and respect," Cr Cosgrove said. A spokesperson for the Health Minister Tim Nicholls says the government is committed to supporting palliative care. "The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has a skilled team of health professionals committed to delivering high-quality care within a hospital setting." Community campaign Mr Zelow said since its inception in October 2021, the hospice had provided end-of-life care to around 950 people and their families. In a statement the hospice said clinical services would close on June 9, "with transition planning continuing to prioritise patient safety, compassionate communication, continuity of care, and responsible governance". Mr Zelow said patients would be transferred to the Hervey Bay Hospital and around 20 employees were at risk of losing their jobs. He said an outpouring of community support was "heartfelt", but larger donations were vital. All three levels of government have pledged to support the growing campaign. Fraser Coast Regional Council mayor George Seymour said protecting the hospice's unique, home-style environment was imperative. "You cannot quantify what that [the hospice] means for them to be able to say goodbye to their loved ones in a setting with that care and professionalism," he said. On social media, state MP John Barounis said he would raise the matter with Mr Nicholls. Federal Member for Hinkler David Batt said he planned to raise the topic in parliament on Tuesday. "We must do everything in our power to ensure this hospice can keep providing specialist palliative care as it has done for hundreds of Fraser Coast families," he said. The board of directors has until next week to find a potential donor, before an independent administrator is appointed.