Increase Paediatric Palliative Care in KZN, SA

Our team is growing!!!! We are so excited that we have finally found the perfect nurse to join our team. Sr Brenda has been an outstanding addition to the clinical team and already we are seeing the benefits of an additional team member. Since we last spoke we have seen 100 new patients. A huge amount but we have extra hands. We have had referrals from all over and many different conditions.

Our play and stimulation programmes are going so well and the benefits of the programmes are seen daily. At King Dinuzulu Hospital, where the children are there for between 6 & 18 months, we have watched one particular little one start to blossom. When she first arrived she wouldn’t interact with anyone, she wouldn’t play with the toys and she definitely didn’t join in the singing. After 3 months of interaction with Sandra (our play co-ordinator) she is now engaging with the other children and the nurses, loves play time and is often the one starting the singing! What an honour to be able to be a part of this special one’s growth and development. School readiness is a key component of this programme and the attached photo shows one of special ones practicing their fine motor skills.

Teaching and training is a key component of our work. It is imperative that more people learn skills linked to palliative care if we are going to ensure that all children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses receive good palliative care. Recently we conducted a 3 day training workshop with 25 professionals from all different hospitals and all different allied professions. It was an inspiring time for all who took part.

Plans for the assessment centre are underway. Our desire is for this to be ready by May next year. Hold thumbs for us! Till we meet again, thanks for your continued support and for being part of the reason we have been able to grow!