TLC Ambulance
Delivering special moments beyond the hospital walls.
A medically supported journey can give a child or young person in palliative care the chance to visit somewhere deeply meaningful with the people they love.
More than transport
A journey designed around what matters most.
Launched in 2019, the TLC Ambulance was the first service of its kind in Australia. It exists for children and young people whose medical needs make an ordinary outing difficult or impossible.
With appropriate clinical planning and support, a journey might mean returning home, visiting the beach, attending a family celebration, seeing a favourite team or simply spending time somewhere that feels like them.
How a journey comes together
Carefully planned with healthcare and family.
Healthcare referral
A treating healthcare professional submits a request with the relevant clinical and logistical information.
Medical and journey planning
TLC for Kids works with the family and clinical partners to assess whether the trip can be delivered safely.
A treasured day
The child and family are supported through a journey shaped around the place, people and experience that matter to them.
The memory is the destination
One journey can give a family time together that illness had taken away.
The TLC Ambulance is supported by clinical partners including Ambulance Victoria and SA Ambulance Service, helping medically appropriate journeys take place in Victoria and South Australia.
Healthcare referrals
Requests are made by treating healthcare professionals.
Families can speak with their treating team about whether a TLC Ambulance request may be clinically appropriate.
Real families. Real moments.
Every story begins with a child, not a service.
Rapid TLC Program
Helping Rina return to school with confidence
A high quality wig helped Rina feel more confident as she prepared to return to school after illness and surgery.
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TLC Ambulance
Xander’s treasured journey beyond the hospital
A TLC Ambulance journey gave Xander and his family a joyful day together beyond treatment.
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Tap 2 Distract
One million minutes of free digital distraction
Tap 2 Distract reached a joyful milestone while remaining free, simple and accessible.
Read the storyFuel the next treasured journey