Increase Paediatric Palliative Care in KZN, SA

A lot has happened since we last spoke - referrals have increased, the search for the perfect nurse is well on its way and we have started a new project! Since September we have received 30 new referrals - these have been from both state and private doctors. It seems that the service that we can offer is being recognised more and more and doctors and families want us invovled. Through one of these new referrals a whole new avenue of work was opened up to us - working with the school. We were given the opportunity to discuss with the teachers how to support one of our children at school as well as how to support the parents. This highlighted for us the importance of truly holistic work and how imperative that every level of a child's life understands the diagnosis and what to expect.

I think we are always amazed at the strength of some of the children we work with and their immense ability to make decisionsfor themselves. Recently we experienced one of our children make the decision of no further treatment after she relapsed. As difficult as this was for her family and the treating team, K was adament that she was granted an extra 4 years and that she does not want to have to go through hospitalisation and chemotherapy again; she wants to be at home. As the palliative care team we were able to fulfill her wish - we ensured she was comfortable and pain-free and she died at home in her dad's arms just like she wanted. To witness that strength and that bravery is humbling and pushes us to achieve more for our patients. 

Play is an intregal part of any child's life irrespective of their diagnosis. We have always had a play programme at one of the hospitals we work in and the benefits are amazing We recently have entered a partnership with another hospital and have began a play programme there. This is very exciting and the impact has been immediate. The opportunity for a further more exciting partnership with this hospital is in discussion, so watch this space.......

As the year draws to an end we pay tribute to all those amazing children who have shared their lives with us. We think of their families at this time and wish them peace.