Lightbulb innovation: precious time

Image of a lightbulb with the words lightbulb innovations

Julia Shirtliffe, Hospital Services Manager at East Anglia Children's Hospice, Quidenham, Norfolk explains more.

When dealing with a baby with palliative care needs, research suggests that the sooner families get support, the less damage later on - although the loss is huge, even when the life is very short.

I was involved in developing a care pathway for babies with palliative care needs being discharged from a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit to a children’s hospice or community setting with hospice support for end-of-life care.

The focus of hospice care is a whole-family approach rather than the more clinically focused treatment approach within a neonatal unit. Our hospice provides a warm environment for families to create memories that help with the grieving process, and we offer ongoing bereavement support for the whole family.

Before the pathway we were racing around sorting things out. The pathway enables consistency of practice and informed choice, and recognition of its value is growing. And, however small, it is making a difference.

If you would like to know more, please contact Julia, email: Julia.Shirtliffe@each.org.uk.

This article originally featured in RCN Bulletin, Issue No. 299, January 2013 

 

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