This month, QEII’s Palliative Care Unit has launched a new partnership with local charity Lisa’s Lunches in a heartfelt show of support for families of QEII’s most vulnerable patients.
QEII is now the third Metro South hospital to join the initiative after a successful rollout at Logan Hospital and PA Hospital in 2024.
Founded by community member Jacqui Martin in 2019, Lisa’s Lunches has evolved from providing lunch packs to now reach multiple major palliative care units across Queensland with thoughtfully curated care packages.
“Inside the boxes are all the essentials including toiletries, snacks, socks, and a few comforts so they feel human,” explained Jacqui.
QEII Palliative Care Unit Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) Hannah Davern first connected with Lisa’s Lunches volunteer Deanna Richards in February, after a local donor was inspired by the hospital that cared for her own father in his final days.
“One of the donors said her father had passed away at our QEII unit and wondered if we would be interested in rolling this initiative out here. That’s where it started,” said Hannah.
Hannah says the invitation came as a welcome gift to families at the busy QEII unit, which is comprised of ten palliative care beds that run at high occupancy year-round.
“We don't have as much access as other larger hospitals to get personal items, especially when relatives or loved ones are wanting to spend the bulk of their time with the patient here on the unit. This gives them some supplies and consumables to help them during that time,” she explained.
“If something's happened quickly, people don't often think about what they might need, so it's all there in one box, ready to go. People often travel some distance to come here, so having the availability of these boxes is a huge help.”
On 12 March, Jacqui, Deanna and volunteer Kylie Brehmer hand-delivered the first round of boxes to the unit, where they were met with the overwhelming thanks of the Palliative Care team.
“They do a remarkable job and we’re very grateful to be included, and to be able to provide this to the relatives and loved ones of our palliative care patients. It’s a box of goodness and I can’t imagine how it feels to those receiving them,” said Hannah.
Special thanks to the Lisa’s Lunches team for their generous outreach, and to the community donors who made it possible.