Updated guidance on paediatric end-of-life care

[From ACSHC]

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has updated the National Consensus Statement: Essential elements for safe and high‑quality paediatric end‑of‑life care with the latest guidance for clinicians and health services.

The Consensus Statement describes how end-of-life care for a child should be approached and delivered effectively across healthcare settings.

This second edition updates national guidance first published in 2016, and reflects contemporary evidence, clinical practice and consultation with the paediatric palliative care sector, experts, clinicians and consumers.

The updated Consensus Statement on paediatric end-of-life care includes:

• a focus on neonates, First Nations children, and children with disability
• guidance for care in regional, rural and remote areas
• a culturally responsive, child and family‑centred approach
• nine guiding principles
• ten essential elements with key actions.