Once a family starts to visit our hospices, our care team are available to help them think about the choices they may wish to consider when their child nears the end of their life. An end of life care plan is a document that outlines you and your child’s wishes for their end of life care, including management of pain, other symptoms and provision of psychological, social, spiritual and support for the family into bereavement.
The end of life phase begins when a judgement is made that no more treatment is possible, to ensure care helps children who are no longer receiving curative treatment to live as well as possible until they die. Including care during and around the time of death, and immediately afterwards. Enabling supportive and palliative care needs of both child and the family to be identified and met throughout the last phase of life.
Families may wish to come to the hospice for care towards the end of their child’s life. We would always view these stays as a priority. Families may also wish to stay at home or in a hospital and then come to the hospice after their child has died. Whatever the family decides our care team can offer support, advice and practical help whether at home or in the hospice.