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Best Practice in paediatric palliative care

• What is Palliative Care?
• How is palliative care different in paediatrics?
• Transition to palliative care
• The Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program
• Best Practice in paediatric palliative care
• Myths about palliative care
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Best Practice in paediatric palliative care

Best practice in paediatric palliative care is not yet underpinned by a substantial evidence base. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in the UK describes the following essential components of paediatric palliative care;

• Assessment and frequent evaluation of individual patient and family needs with the formulation of a care plan
• The use of a key worker as coordinator of care
• Involvement of a paediatrician expert in the child’s condition
• Involvement of local clinicians and nurses skilled in paediatric palliative care
• 24 hour support of families in the management of physical and emotional symptoms
• Regular respite
• Emotional support of parents and siblings extending into bereavement
• Provision of medications and aids
• Provision of housing adaptations and equipment for use at home and at school
• Financial assistance® 1

Palliative Care Australia has also formulated Standards for Hospice and Palliative Care Provision in Australia although no specific mention is made of the needs of children.®2

1. Association for Children with Life Threatening or Terminal Conditions and their Families and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. “ A Guide to the Development of Children’s Palliative Care Services”. London 1997.
2. Palliative Care Australia. Standards for Palliative Care Provision. October 1999 .