Contacting Palliative Care Services
If you live in a rural or remote area of Australia, you may find it difficult to find palliative care. Information on palliative care services is available on the Palliative Care Australia website in its a service directory. State by state information on services and other resources are available in the CareSearch State Resources section.

You may not be aware that some local health services provide palliative care as well as practical help in country areas. Your GP is also able to help and there is information for GPs on the CareSearch GP Pages.

Problems specific to rural Australians
Depression
Feeling lonely and isolated sometimes happens in rural and remote areas. Distance can be an issue, and this is especially true if someone has an illness. It can be easy to become depressed. The beyond blue website has information specifically for people in rural areas.

Transport 
Travelling to health appointments can be a problem. Each state and territory has a patient transport scheme. The Health Connect website has information and contact details on these schemes.

Managing in rural and remote areas 
The Breast Cancer Network Australia website has a page on helpful hints and tips that can be relevant for many Australians living in rural areas.

General Resources
The Australian Government rural health website has some useful links, including health organisations.

 This page was created on 20 June 2008 and is due for review in June 2010