Children and young people’s care and support

Palliative care is all about improving quality of life, and relieving your symptoms whether these are physical, emotional, psychological, social, economic or spiritual.

Palliative care is about empowering you or your child to live better, for longer, with your life-limiting or terminal illness.
Health conditions that may call for palliative care include chronic lung disease, heart failure, motor neurone disease, non-curable cancers, multiple sclerosis and progressive supernuclear palsy.

For more information on palliative care, visit the Hospice UK website

As a hospice, we provide on-going, wide-ranging support that focuses on the whole person; we also extend our support to your family and friends as they too are going through a difficult time.

All our staff are trained specifically in the needs of people who have a progressive condition and we offer very individualised care.

We can provide a lot of the services and facilities of a hospital but pride ourselves on a more homely and welcoming environment.

Yes, you have choices in where we support you or your child.

You can come to the hospice to make the most of our day services. Our community team can come and care for you or your child in your own home, or you can stay at the hospice at our children’s in-patient unit for short stays or end-of-life care.

We have a lot of experience in pain control and pain management care plan will be based on a detailed individual assessment; we then consult you on the range of medications and non-drug therapies that can help.

Yes, we have family accommodation on the children’s unit, so families can stay at the hospice, too. Families can even stay in your child’s room if they choose.

Meals are available for loved ones at a small cost from our restaurant, Valerie’s.

There is no restriction on visiting times or numbers, but please respect other patients and take advice from the senior nurse on duty. Normal visiting times are from 8am-10pm.

Children are welcome. Pets are welcome- they are part of the family too, but please do take advice from the senior nurse on duty.

Our children’s service provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes up until their 19th birthday.

Once a patient reaches the age of nineteen we support their transition to adult services, either at Keech (for those in Bedfordshire) or to an alternate Hospice.

Dealing with the practical aspects of caring for a child with a serious illness can seem daunting sometimes but we can help.

Our children’s team includes social workers, who can talk to you and your family about both your emotional and practical needs so you have the advice and support you need to cope.

We can advise you on issues such as education, housing, finances, charity applications, transition, equipment and holidays. We can also support you with making funeral arrangements and getting access to statutory services.

The social worker deals directly with a range of professionals in the NHS and other organisations, to take the lead in safeguarding your child.