A dying man has had his wish for one last caramel sundae granted by Queensland Ambulance officers.

Gold Coast cancer patient Ron McCartney was leaving his home for the last time to go into palliative care at Robina Hospital.

His wife Sharon McCartney was by his side and mentioned that Mr McCartney had barely eaten in two days.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) officers Kate Hanafy and Hanna Hoswell asked him if he could eat anything, what would it be?

Mr McCartney replied that he'd love his favourite food — a caramel sundae.

The officers then stopped at a drive-through so 72-year-old Ron could savour his favourite dessert from the back of the ambulance.

A photo of the kind gesture has since gone viral on social media.

Ms McCartney said it was an unexpected act of kindness.

"It put a smile on his face, he got a couple of pretty girls conned again. Got what he wanted," she said.

"It was typical Ron.

"He'll never say no to a caramel sundae."

Ron McCartney's wife Sharon and daughter Danielle thank QAS paramedics Hanna (L) and Kate (R) for caring for him. ( Supplied: Queensland Ambulance Service )

Mr McCartney's daughter Danielle Smith said the ambulance staff went above and beyond to make him feel special.

"He meant something, he wasn't a number," she said, fighting back tears.

"My dad wasn't just a number, he was my dad and he was looked after."

The QAS said it showed how a simple act of kindness could have immense impact.

Paramedic Kate Hanafy said they had to ask for special permission from HQ to take the detour.

"The truck's a little bit too tall to fit through a drive-through," she said.

"We had to pull up out front and I just ducked in.

"He was rapt.

"He had a big smile on his face and his wife was tearing up, just pleased to see him eating."

Ron McCartney died on Saturday morning, September 1.