This study aimed to determine the approaches taken by children's hospices across the UK in meeting the planned and unplanned needs of children and their families who receive palliative care at home. An online survey was sent to all children's hospices. Responses were received from 14 (26%) of hospices. The survey revealed 1,618 children and their families were being cared for by these hospices, of whom 825 received care at home. Care provided at home was either short break care or responsive palliative nursing, consisting of advance care planning, anticipatory prescribing and active symptom control. Out of hours care was usually offered in the form of telephone support. The study showed models of community care are evolving to include nurses practicing at specialist and advanced levels allowing more children to be cared for at home.
Tatterton, M. 2019. Approaches to community-based palliative care provision by children's hospices in the UK. Nursing Children and Young People, 31 (5) p 42-48.
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