This presentation will introduce the PALLGP model – an innovative, Rural Generalist-led palliative care service established in 2025 within the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service. Designed to address disparities in access to specialist palliative care in Emerald and the Central Highlands], the model provides sustainable, face-to-face care delivered by local Rural Generalists with Advanced Specialised Training (AST) in palliative medicine. Developed with the support of the Queensland statewide Specialist Palliative Rural Telehealth service (SPaRTa), the model shifts from reliance on external specialist input to a locally-led, comprehensive service aligned with the needs of the community.

The session will outline the design of the PALLGP model, including service development, implementation challenges, and preliminary impacts on care delivery. The role of PALLGP and each stakeholder in the broader interprofessional team – including SPaRTa, local hospital teams, general practitioners, and Non-Government Organisations such as BlueCare’s Rural and Remote Service – will also be explored. Early observations suggest the model enhances patient-centred care, supports continuity, and strengthens local clinical capacity.

Moreover, this model may provide a replicable framework for improving specialist care access across rural Australia and could be adapted to other cognitive ASTs – such as paediatrics, mental health, and internal medicine.