As the year draws to a close, the dedicated team behind PCA’s 'Shaping the Future of Paediatric Palliative Care' project celebrates a year of innovation and collaboration. Quietly but powerfully, the team has tackled challenges head-on, working to make a difference in paediatric palliative care for families and healthcare professionals across Australia.

2024 Achievements:

Sharing your Stories  

We had the privilege to share three incredible stories on our website to inspire and guide others. Click HERE to read more. 

Developing Clinical Guidelines 

We’re creating three clinical guidelines backed by strong evidence and extensive consultation. Inspired by practices in New Zealand and the UK, these guidelines are being tailored to Australia’s unique needs. As we assess and refine them, we remain dedicated to making them as effective as possible for healthcare providers and families alike. 

Building Transition Pathways 

For young people with life-limiting conditions, moving into adult health services can be daunting. Consultations revealed that each journey is unique, with complex care needs and developmental challenges. Informed by the insights collected from families, young people, and healthcare professionals, we will begin developing a strategy to make these paediatric palliative care transitions as seamless and supported as possible from February 2025. 

Improving Referral Pathways 

Through collaboration with parents and paediatric palliative care specialists, we’re refining referral pathways to be more patient centred. A new decision-making tool is in development, aimed at making the referral process for healthcare professionals clearer and better meeting families’ needs. 

Enhancing Website Accessibility 

The paediatric palliative care website now features an accessibility widget, allowing users to customise colours and fonts. This improvement supports individuals with low vision or dyslexia, ensuring that every user can access the information they need in a way that works for them. Click on the ‘white-human shape in the blue circle’ in the top right-hand corner on the paediatric palliative care website to experience this upgrade for yourself. 

Inclusive family resources for multicultural communities 

We are updating the first chapter of the popular resource “A Family Companion” booklet. It will be revised in English, but also published in Easy English and Arabic for enhanced inclusivity. Insights gathered during consultations are guiding these updates, with work starting in early 2025. Additionally, an accessible video resource is in progress.

End-of-Life Communication Course for Healthcare Professionals 

All modules of the Paediatric End-of-Life Communication course are now live online, including two new modules on Diversity and Teamwork. These free, self-paced modules equip healthcare professionals with essential skills to provide compassionate, effective support to children and families in challenging times. Click HERE to start your learning journey! 

Looking Ahead to 2025: 

As we move into the new year, our momentum continues. Every step forward is powered by the passion and dedication of our community, passionate families/carers, and health care professionals who all partner with us; generously giving their time and experience.  

THANK YOU! 

Get Involved

Do you like what you see, have ideas or want to make an impact? Complete the EOI for Parents, carers, families and young people or EOI for Health Care Professionals  

Alternatively, contact us at paediatrics@palliativecare.org.au  

With your support, we’re not just meeting needs; we’re setting new standards in paediatric palliative care.

This story was first published on the Paediatric Palliative Care website.