The idea behind the toolkit, which was first launched in April 2011, was to develop and collate tools and resources, so that they could be easily accessed by paediatric palliative care practitioners, whatever the care setting or whatever the time of day or night that care was required.
Although the toolkit has been developed for the West Midlands the document provides useful guidance for professionals working in children’s palliative care across the country.
It contains resources, tools and documentation around children’s palliative care to support safe, effective, individualised and responsive care for children and families.
For example, the most recent version of the Association for Paediatric Palliative Medline Master Formulary is included in the toolkit, as is a template for a special needs information passport and a number of factsheets and guides from Together for Short Lives.
It also includes chapters on when palliative care should be introduced, symptom control, advance care planning and care around the time of death.
Where available, the resources draw upon nationally recognised, researched and recommended sources. Where national guidance does not yet exist on a particular aspect of care, the guidelines support staff in collectively documenting and delivering what is currently considered best practice within the field of paediatric palliative care and paediatrics within the West Midlands.
The updated toolkit is free to download from the Together for Short Lives’ website.
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