Ambulance Wish Queensland is Palliative Care Queensland (PCQ) Signature Program, providing Queenslanders living with a life-limiting illness, access to specialist transport and clinical care required to fulfill their last wish and create memories forever.
Inspired by two Hervey Bay paramedics who fulfilled a patient’s wish to visit her favorite beach, AWQ is the first program of its kind in Australia. Launched by PCQ in July 2019, AWQ is modeled after the Netherlands’ charity program, Stichting Ambulance Wens. The program is supported by the Queensland Government and Queensland Ambulance Service, but it relies significantly on donations, sponsorships, fundraising, and in-kind contributions.
The program utilises decommissioned, bespoke ambulances donated by Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) to provide palliative and end-of-life patients with specifically curated wishes. These wishes create lasting memories for patients and their loved ones.
Wishes are often simple yet meaningful, such as a trip to the beach or South Bank to enjoy time with family, visiting Australia Zoo to pet a giraffe, or watching a Brisbane Broncos training session. Some patients may request to attend a grandchild’s wedding, while others prefer “on-site wishes,” which involve bringing family, friends, or pets to the patient, organising a pamper day, or arranging a professional photo or video shoot with loved ones.
