Community-based services in paediatric palliative care

Healthcare professionals in the community (eg nurses, allied health providers, general practitioners) can provide support for parents caring for their child at home. Most parents of young children will not have had any experience caring for a patient with palliative care needs; in addition to providing practical support and care, healthcare professionals with palliative care experience can be a comforting and knowledgeable presence through a frightening experience.

Community-based healthcare professionals may need to liaise with paediatric staff at their local hospital for assistance with considerations related to caring for a child (eg regarding development, obtaining child-sized equipment). Many paediatric wards and children’s hospitals have ‘hospital in the home’ nurses who can provide paediatric care in the home. While some have palliative care experience, they may collaborate with hospital-based palliative care nurses, or community nurses who have palliative care but not necessarily paediatric experience.