NICE guidance on end of life care for children aims to end inconsistences in treatment

5 Jul 2016 01:34 PM

NICE guidelines will help professionals 

“To lose a child is a tragic, unimaginable, life-changing event. However, the way the death is handled by the professionals around the family, can make an enormous difference."

Dr Emily Harrop, consultant at Helen and Douglas house hospice

An estimated 40,000 children and young people are terminally ill in England. The quality of care they receive varies across the country.

Draft guidance from NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) outlines what the best palliative care for children looks like. 

It emphasises the need for infants, children and young people to be treated as individuals and highlights the importance of children and their families being involved in decisions about care.

Dr Harrop, interim chair of the NICE guideline committee added:

“This draft guideline sets out best practice for all those involved in palliative care, whether that be at home, in a hospice or in a hospital.

"I hope it will further embed the good practice in palliative care for which the UK is already renowned.”

Interim guideline chair Dr Harrop on NICE guideline benefits

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