Children and Young People
Children and young people have particular
needs and concerns as they live with life-limiting illnesses.
The GP has a major role to play in
supporting children and young people with palliative care needs and
their families, in understanding the complex needs that they will
have, and having an overview of the network of service providers
involved and engaged with the wider primary health care team.
Children’s palliative care is provided by a range of services from
the statutory, voluntary and private sectors and includes medical,
nursing, social care, education, psycho-social and therapeutic
support, however the GP remains the constant practitioner for the
family, irrespective of the outcome of the child’s condition.
There are a number of resources
available to support GPs when caring for a child with a
life-limiting or life-threatening condition, and to guide them
through the planning and delivery of care. In 2010, the Department
of Health (England) launched a £30 million funding programme to
develop children’s palliative care resources. A range of training
and development opportunities are also available via ACT and Children’s Hospices
UK.
ACT and Children’s Hospices
UK
The Association of Paediatric
Palliative Medicine Master Formulary 2011
Combined
Curriculum in Paediatric Palliative Medicine
Basic Symptom Control in Paediatric
Palliative Care
ACT:
supporting children and young people with life-limiting
illnesses
Children’s Palliative Care Handbook for
GPs
Critical care decisions for parents
leaflet
Good practice resources to support parents
Family Companion Films: William, Ysella
& Lauren
Bliss
Bliss ‘for babies born too small and too
sick`
Children’s Hospice
UK
Children’s Hospice UK
Contact a Family
A-Z of conditions