“About 1054 children and young people required palliative care services in Wales in 2014. Of these, it is estimated 10% died during the year.” These startling statistics show the growing need of children’s palliative care services in Wales. The University of South Wales is set to launch a report, commissioned by Ty Hafan, Welsh children’s hospice on Tuesday.
According to the report, children’s palliative care is not sufficiently supported and requires more “strategic attention” by ministers and the National Health Service (NHS). Many health care providers are working “against the odds” to meet the needs of children with palliative care needs. One of the issues highlighted in the report is the focus on end of life care amongst children, whilst this is important, it excludes a large percentage of children requiring ongoing support and care.
The report will prove to be a useful tool as according to the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care, “lessons of previous reports remained largely unheard”. Mark Drakeford, Welsh Minister of Health, will be attending the report launch and said “I welcome Ty Hafan’s commitment to working in partnership with the Welsh government to drive forward key improvements to palliative care for children and young people in Wales.”
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