title: Innovative approach to providing 24/7 palliative care for children.
abstract: This study outlines an innovative, English hospice-based service that provides 24/7 care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Operational objectives were: symptom management; open access to families and professionals; choice in place of care and of death; and collaboration to develop shared pathways and management plans. Service standards were audited through questionnaires completed by professionals and families. Findings demonstrated that the nursing team filled a critical gap and met its pre-set standards. Keys to success were: having the right level and mix of specialist and advanced skills; funded on-call arrangements; anticipatory planning; symptom management plans; and clinical supervision. Further recommendations were to develop a multi-agency workforce strategy, and to increase capacity in the children's sector to undertake academic research measuring the impacts of interventions.
authors.affiliation: East Anglia's Children's Hospices.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maynard
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lynn
mesh_terms: D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010358:Patient Participation; D011209:Power, Psychological; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: 24/7; Children’s hospice; end-of-life care; paediatric palliative care; paediatric symptom management