This chapter will support you with the difficult decisions you make for your child,  particularly if they have started to become more unwell (deteriorate) or taken a turn for the worse.

You may have been part of many new discussions with your child’s medical teams as it is difficult to know what treatment options are best at this stage of their illness. You may feel anxious and overwhelmed about the choices you are being asked to make.

Families always want to do what is best for their child. However sometimes it is hard to know exactly what ‘best’ is.

This chapter has been put together by  specialist paediatric palliative care nurses who have supported many families through the difficult decision making process as their child’s condition changes. 

We will discuss common questions that are asked by families when their child’s condition has deteriorated or worsened.