Supporting the Child and the Family in Paediatric Palliative Care

Erica Brown · Brian Warr

Jun 2007 · Jessica Kingsley Publishers

About this ebook

Supporting the Child and the Family in Paediatric Palliative Care provides a comprehensive overview of good practice in caring for terminally-ill children, young people and their families.

Drawing from extensive personal experiences of working in paediatric palliative care, the author provides guidance on issues including symptom management and pain relief; cultural, religious and spiritual aspects of care; and the role of education for life-limited children. Addressing the importance of individual needs, the book looks at emotional, social and cognitive support at different stages of the illness, how parents and professionals can respond to children's own questions about death, and the impact of life-limiting illness on the whole family - including grandparents and siblings. The material offers helpful suggestions on how to support families in making informed choices during distressing periods, such as where their child will die and how to prepare for the funeral.

This book is a practical and invaluable tool for nurses, paediatricians, hospice care staff, bereavement counsellors and all those caring for life-limited children.

About the author

Erica Brown is Head of Research and Development at Acorns Children's Hospice in Birmingham. She has lectured and published internationally in the field of special education, spiritual and religious care, palliative care and bereavement. She is also a trained bereavement counsellor. Brian Warr is Director of Care at Acorns Children's Hospice, a post he has held for the past 14 years. Before joining Acorns Brian held senior management posts with Barnardo's and Social Services. He has been employed in child care posts for 34 years. In 1998, Brian became a Justice of the Peace in both the Family Court and The Youth Work Court.