The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and Ipswich Hospice have announced they will collaborate to propose the establishment of Queensland’s first university-based hospice at the UniSQ Ipswich campus.
Building on a shared commitment to compassionate care and community partnerships, the two organisations will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), paving the way for the development of the new Ipswich Hospice.
Under the MoU, UniSQ and Ipswich Hospice will undertake the detailed planning and approvals necessary to establish a state-of-the-art, 30-bed palliative care hospital and a grief counselling service at UniSQ Ipswich.
This new collaboration supports UniSQ’s vision for a multi-partner Ipswich Integrated Health and Wellbeing Precinct on campus, which will be anchored by the almost $40 million Ipswich Health Building currently under construction.
UniSQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Nelson said a hospice on campus in Ipswich would bring together education, research, and compassionate care.
“The collaboration between UniSQ and Ipswich Hospice reflects our vision to build a thriving health and wellbeing community precinct in Ipswich, bringing together teaching, clinical practice, and research to improve lives,” Professor Nelson said.
“A hospice at our Ipswich campus would provide clinical placement and research opportunities for UniSQ students in nursing, allied health, social work, and psychology, while expanding access to compassionate end-of-life care for local families.”
It is envisaged that under the proposal, Ipswich Hospice will fund and operate the new facility, while UniSQ will provide the campus site through a lease arrangement.
Ipswich Hospice CEO Gail Rogers said the new facility would expand access to care and redefine the role of universities in the future of community health.
“This is an exciting and compassionate vision for our region,” she said.
“Co-locating with UniSQ will allow us to build a modern hospice that not only delivers exceptional palliative care but also helps educate the next generation of health professionals and supports vital research into end-of-life and grief care.”
