The Palliative and End of Life Care working group has now been disbanded.
The Palliative and End of Life Care group brings clinicians from acute trusts and third sector organisations, together with commissioners, Public Health England and members of the South West Children’s Palliative Care Network to map current services across the South West.
The group meets bi-monthly to identify potential service variations, gaps and areas of good practice with the intention of developing commissioning recommendations for service provision across the South West.
It is estimated that there are at least 49,000 children under 19 years across the UK who are living with a life limiting or life threatening condition who may require palliative care services (Fraser, L.K., 2012).
The fifth standard of the “Core Care pathway for Children with life limiting and life threatening conditions” (Together for Short Lives 2013) recommends “ Every child and family should be helped to decide on an end of life care plan and should be provided with care and support to achieve this”
This short film https://vimeo.com/141729466 has been created, by the Avon Palliative Care Partnership, as a training tool for professionals who are engaged in, or likely to engage in end of life discussions and planning with children, young people and their families. The film uses the voice of two mothers to promote learning in this sensitive area as they reflect on their experience, and on the potential benefits and challenges to this process.
In order to watch the film, you will need to register your interest and request the access password from:
Dr Helen Prescott
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Head of The Lifetime Service
Tel: 01225 731624
In line with the Department of Health’s Mandate to NHS England for 2014/15 and the priorities established by the Strategic Clinical Network in 2013, the South West Maternity and Children’s Strategic Clinical Network has developed a Palliative and End of Life Care Working Group to focus on this area of work. This group is represented by statutory and non-statutory organisations across health and social care and gave its support in the making of this film.
Grateful thanks is extended to Josie and Julie who were generous with their time, thoughts and energy in sharing their personal experiences. For further patient stories and support with this sensitive matter, please visit www.livesworthlivingbook.co.uk
The interactive map for children’s palliative care services in the South West has been removed from this site. However we recognise the value of the information that was contained within it and are considering how to display this in a different format for the future.
