Services for terminally ill children to launch this Autumn

Monday 04 June 2018

Up to 60 terminally ill children and their families could benefit from specialised care, short breaks and bereavement support through a new hospice provision set to launch this autumn.

Jersey Hospice unveiled plans for a dedicated children’s service aimed at supporting children and young people from their diagnosis through “life, death and beyond" in December.

Since the announcement, Paediatric Doctor Natalie Kemp and Staff Grade Doctor, Jenny Du Feu, have embarked on a Masters in Palliative Care at Kings College in London. The course is based at the Cicely Saunders Institute, a WHO Collaborating Centre for palliative care and rehabilitation that is at the heart of national and international research and academic-clinical collaborations. Ms Saunders, a nurse, is considered by many as the modern founder of palliative care.

Dr Kemp explained: "It's a two-year Master programme. It's really good. It is enabling us to ensure that the services we develop are up to date, evidence-based and follow best practice.The course is linked with the best practitioners in the field. It is a great opportunity for us and a wonderful journey for us."

Pictured: Dr Natalie Kemp was appointed Clinical Lead for Children and Young People last year. (Glen Perotte)

Appointed last year, Dr Kemp is tasked with the Clinical Lead for Children and Young People. She explained: "My role is to develop the service and the define the clinical strategy. We have started providing emotional support for children and young people in September and we are now looking at launching a nursing-led service, based on outreach as well as drop-in groups this Autumn.

"The final phase of the programme will be to open an in-patient facility but that is more of a longer term plan. But the service is not just about the building, we will also offer services in people's homes, so that they have a choice of how they access them."

Pictured: Opening an in-patient facility for children and young people is part of the longer term plan for the Hospice.

There are currently 44 families in Jersey who would potentially benefit from the services of a Children's Hospice. But Dr Kemp says that if we apply the UK prevalence locally, the actual number could be closer to 60. As they continue to develop the services, Dr Kemp says the hospice wants to hear from local families to take their input on board. "It is a community project," she explained. "We are working alongside services to help fill potential gaps. We want to make a difference for the patients and their families.

"We are keen to engage with the public. It is important for us to give local families a choice, they are at the centre of every decision we are making. We want to build a really robust service for Jersey." 

Pictured: Jersey Hospice recently advertised a nurse position and more could soon follow.

As Jersey Hospice Care expands its services, so will its team. They recently advertised a new nursing position but more will come. Dr Kemp says: "We will add to the recruitment later on as part of our work force plan. There will be the potential for people to join the team.

"As ever we are also looking for volunteers. There will be a lot of work to do with family support. Anyone who has an interest in working with children and young people should get in touch."