Where Can Palliative Care For Children Be Delivered in NZ?

Key points about palliative care and where it's delivered to children in NZ

This page is part of a whole section on palliative care.

• palliative care means relieving or soothing
• palliative care can be available to children with a chronic illness, or to children with a serious illness who recover, as well as to children who are dying
• palliative care and curative care is available for children and young people with all kinds of illnesses
• palliative care provides hope and aims for the best quality of life for children and family/whanau during stressful times

Where can palliative care be delivered?

Palliative care can be delivered in a number of settings. These are the main options available in New Zealand.

Home

Many families/whānau wish to care for their children at home because they feel secure there and are better able to control their daily routine. It also increases the opportunity for parents, siblings, friends and family of the child to help with their care. Families are supported at home by a children's community nursing team, their GP, local paediatric team and where needed a palliative care service.

There will always be a bed available in the hospital ward if at any time you feel hospital care is more appropriate. Staff at the hospital are also available to provide guidance and advice regarding the care of children at home.

Hospital 

While most symptoms can be readily controlled at home, some children may need to go to hospital from time to time and some families may feel unable to care for their child at home for various reasons. Hospital staff try, wherever possible, to care for children in a private room and provide a comfortable environment for the family. Children and families have access to the support of all members of the hospital's healthcare team including doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains and others.