Key points about what palliative care involves
All children receiving palliative care have unique needs.
- palliative care can be available to pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi with a chronic or serious illness
- starting palliative care early in your child’s illness makes sure your child has the best possible quality of life throughout their illness
What is palliative care?
Palliative care includes some or all of the following.
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Symptom management
Symptom management is the control of both the physical and psychological effects of your child's illness, including managing:
- taha tinana (physical symptoms)
- taha wairua (spiritual health)
- taha hinengaro (mental health)
- taha whānau (family health)
Advance care planning
Advance care planning is about focusing on what's really important to you and your child during their care. It includes:
- making decisions about your child’s care, with your healthcare team and your child
- saying what your wishes are if your child deteriorates or is dying
Advance care plans often develop over time and can change depending on your child's condition.
An advance care plan may have a ‘do not resuscitate’ (DNR) order on it which your lead healthcare professional will discuss with you.
Respite care
In some situations, your child may be able to have in-home or out-of-home respite care.
There may need to be a needs assessment. Find out more about this process.
Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC)
End of life care
End of life care happens as your child is approaching death. Your healthcare team can help recognise signs and symptoms so that you can gather whānau around your child, If you want to.
Your healthcare team will focus on keeping your child comfortable, supporting you and your whānau, and helping you prepare for your child’s needs.
Bereavement care
You may find the following pages helpful.
Experiencing Grief After Your Child Has Died
What To Do After A Child Has Died
Helping Your Child After Their Sister, Brother Or Cousin Has Died
Bereavement Reactions Of Children & Young People By Age Group
More information and resources
Skylight provides a national support service for New Zealand children and young people who are experiencing change, loss and grief - whatever its cause. Skylight also supports those caring for these children and young people - their families, whānau, friends, professionals and community volunteers. Call free on 0800 299 100
The Starship website provides information about the specialist palliative care team who are available to provide advice.
Rei Kōtuku provides specialised paediatric palliative and bereavement care to pēpi, tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau in the central region of Aotearoa New Zealand.
True Colours supports children with a serious health condition and their families. Staff at True Colours provide support to your child and family through the difficulties and grief of a chronic, life-limiting or life-threatening illness.
Rainbow Place is a specialist children's and young person's hospice in the Waikato.
Kenzie's Gift is a New Zealand organisation which aims to improve the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children, young people and their families affected by serious illness or bereavement.
Sands is a voluntary, parent-run, non-profit organisation set up to support parents and families who have experienced the death of a baby at any stage during pregnancy, as a baby or infant.
Acknowledgements
The content on this page has been developed and approved by the New Zealand Paediatric Palliative Care Clinical Network, Paediatric Society of New Zealand.
