Palliative care nursing for children in the UK and Ireland

Currently, there are many changes taking place in the area of paediatric palliative care. These include the role of the nurse, development of national policies, and recommendations for the future of paediatric palliative care. This article discusses palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions in the UK and Ireland, highlights national and international developments in this area, describes current services, and makes recommendations for future developments. Paediatric palliative care should be holistic, family centred and tailored to meet the needs of each child and family. Palliative care should promote autonomy and allow informed choices regarding end-of-life care. Palliative care should begin at the time of diagnosis and continue beyond illness, through the bereavement process. It should be adaptable to allow care delivery in any setting; home, hospice or hospital. Health professionals providing paediatric palliative care should be appropriately trained in this specialist field and the best interests of the child should always be at the forefront of care.