A HOSPICE boss has contributed to a special report about the future of life-limited children’s care.

‘A Guide to Children’s Palliative Care’ has been compiled by Together for Short Lives, the umbrella charity that represents children’s hospice services across the UK.

Chief Executive of Havens Hospices, Andy Smith, was one of two non-medical personnel invited to contribute towards the document, which is endorsed by NICE and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

The report, now in its fourth edition, gives a unique and deep insight into children’s palliative care and is aimed at improving the understanding of the specific needs of the UK’s 49,000 seriously ill babies, children and young people.

Mr Smith said: “I was delighted to be invited by Together for Short Lives to be a member of the working group. We reviewed the previous edition of the guide, bringing together our collective experiences and were delighted by the outcome. It was a privilege and honour to have been involved.”

“The care we provide at Little Havens is unique – there is nowhere else in Essex that is offering this mix of nurse-led care with holistic support for the whole family. For the nurses and carers that work at Little Havens, we utilise every part of their training and invest in their development and education to ensure we are delivering exactly what the children and families need."

To read ‘A Guide to Children’s Palliative Care’ see https://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/new-guide-to-commissioning-and-delivering-childrens-palliative-care/