Location choices are available for your child to receive end of life care

The best place for your family to be during end of life is where you and your child feel most comfortable and supported. 

Your location choice will often be guided by:

  • goals of care
  • symptoms
  • how well you feel you can manage your child’s needs
  • what your child’s wishes may be
  • how rapidly or unexpectedly your child’s condition is changing or deteriorating

Your location of care can change if you wish or your child’s care needs change. Your palliative care team can help to give you all the information that is needed so you feel more confident to make the decision. It is very important you feel well supported and prepared during this time.

Remember, if you choose to stay at home, your child will continue to receive treatment.

Hospital

For many families, hospital provides a place that you can be close to trained staff that are able to help you care for your child during end of life. 

This may be at the paediatric hospital or you may choose a smaller hospital closer to home. In both these situations, your palliative care team can provide advice and support to the hospital staff caring for your child.

Home support

Many families will choose to remain at home to care for their child during end of life. This may be because home is a familiar and private location. It may also enable many more family members to be with you if this is important. 

If you would like to be at home, the palliative care team will identify services in your local area and explain the support that they can provide. Local services vary across NSW.

You will need to have a doctor who can see your child before and after death to issue a legal document called a death certificate.

Your child will not stop receiving treatment if you choose to remain at home.

Most of the care interventions that have previously been available in hospital can continue to be provided at home or during a brief visit to the outpatient’s clinic at the hospital. This will ensure your child is comfortable and any difficult symptoms are well managed.

Ongoing communication will continue with the palliative care team (through home visits, videoconferencing or teleconferencing) to discuss your child’s condition and assess their plan of care.

Hospice (Bear Cottage)

Located in Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Bear Cottage is the only residential children’s hospice in NSW. The hospice provides end-of-life care and symptom management for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. 

Bear Cottage Bear Cottage has a team of experienced staff who work closely with your child’s medical team and are available throughout the day and night. The team also provides play, music and art therapy. Siblings and other extended family members are welcomed. 

At Bear Cottage, you are able to stay for a couple of days with your child after they have died if this is important to you. 

There is no cost for families to stay at Bear Cottage.