This face to face course led by the regional Children’s Holistic Integrated Palliative Care Service (CHIPS) is designed to support staff working in hospices caring for children across the North East and North Cumbria.
Introduction
Paediatric palliative care is about promoting the best possible quality of life and care for every child and young person with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition.
This specialist field has seen significant growth as the benefits of high quality palliative input is increasingly recognised such as allowing children, young people and their families to have access to respite care and advocating their choices in terms of where they want to receive end of life care.
The Children’s Holistic Integrated Palliative Care Service (CHIPS) based at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle covers the entire North East and North Cumbria region. They provide expert support, advice and guidance whilst engaging with those looking after children with life limiting and life threatening conditions.
As part of their role the team offer training and educational support to help build knowledge, skills and confidence. This course covers a wide range of topics to enhance the provision of palliative and end of life care including:
- Advance care planning
- symptom recognition and management
- subcutaneous access
- care at end of life and after death.
The teaching will incorporate simulation scenario training as well as discussion.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this course delegates will have:
- a better understanding of the role of CHIPS
- recognised the importance of Advance Care Planning and the documents utilised
- an increased confidence in recognising and managing the deteriorating child with a palliative diagnosis
- greater familiarity with symptom management plans
- an increased awareness of medications used to manage symptoms at the end of life
- an increased confidence on how to insert and utilise subcutaneous access
- greater awareness of the physical and practical elements of care after death
Finally, delegates will have had an opportunity through open and candid discussions to share their own thoughts, fears and experiences in a safe environment.
Audience and criteria
This course is appropriate for anyone working in a Children & Young Adult’s Hospice including:
- nurse practitioners
- nurses
- support workers
- nursery nurses.
Delivery
One day course delivered face to face at the Royal Victoria Infirmary’s Education Centre.