Hospices are staffed by teams of professionals made up of doctors, nurses, midwives, play specialists, care staff, complimentary therapists, counsellors, physiotherapists, music therapists and volunteers.
Hospice teams are experienced in caring for babies, children, young people and their families who are affected by complex conditions. They can also offer support before your baby is born.
In addition to children’s hospices, ‘Hospice at Home’ services can help you in your own home.
Hospices offer a number of services tailored to meet the individual needs of you and your family. As well as nursing care they can provide:
- Respite/Short breaks – overnight stays as well as day care for children during term time and holidays. This can be specifically for the child or it can be for the whole family (and pets). All facilities are available for family groups.
- Emotional support – this is available to all family members including parents, grandparents and siblings. There are dedicated sibling days, events and sibling support workers.
- Play support – support can be offered through play, music and creative therapies. Children’s Hospices have play rooms, music rooms, multi-sensory rooms as well as large outdoor gardens and hydrotherapy/spa pools.
Homemade meals are provided by in-house chefs and they can accommodate any of your dietary requirements.
End-of-life care is provided in Children’s Hospices and in a home setting. Staff are experts in this area and their priority is comfort and symptom control. They offer memory making opportunities, emotional support and counselling to ensure your family feel well supported. Bereavement support is offered in many forms and will be tailored to your individual needs.
There is no charge to families for using any of the services provided by your local Children’s Hospice.
Children’s hospices near you:
Martin House – Wetherby
Andy’s Children’s Hospice – Grimsby
Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice – Sheffield
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice – Huddersfield