“With Australia’s population of almost 23 million there are only 2 children’s hospices nationally and none of them are in Queensland.  The UK’s population of almost 63 million boasts 44 children’s hospices.”

At the heart of Queensland Kids is a desire to see the synergies of individuals and organisations working together to meet the needs of disadvantaged children in their communities of Queensland.

Queensland Kids has identified a critical need to provide care for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families – a home away from home option that gives families the added flexibility to access respite and hospice care when home or hospital care can no longer meet their needs.

Hummingbird House will be the inaugural project of Queensland Kids.  Hummingbird House will initially operate as a day respite centre but its future services will include 24/7 respite care including physician and nursing support, pain and symptom management, and end-of-life care.

Queensland Kids aspires for Hummingbird House to be a facility which will be an Australian leader in paediatric palliative care sharing knowledge, expertise and research regionally, nationally and internationally to assist in the further development of best practices in this field.  It will offer a comprehensive continuum of care to children and teens with life-limiting illnesses and their families throughout Queensland.  It will be unique within Queensland, as it will aim to offer world-class health care within a home-like environment.  Hummingbird House aims to provide comfortable surroundings, personalized programs, caring professional staff and dedicated volunteers, in a place for children and families to come in their time of need.  Individual programs will be designed to meet the needs of each family through all stages of a child’s illness.

Queensland Kids recognises that through Hummingbird House, all children deserve the opportunity to learn, develop and grow no matter whether their lives are measured in days, weeks, or months.  It is anticipated that through Hummingbird House, Queensland Kids will encourage each child to love life as we have a  firm belief in enhancing the quality of whatever time a child may have left by empowering them to live fully and joyfully.

Queensland Kids is proudly supported by