How to refer to a Paediatric Palliative Care Team in your area

How to Make a Referral

Eligibility:
Referrals can be made for children and young people up to 19 years old who have a life-limiting or life-threatening condition.
We encourage early referrals - ideally as soon as a life-limiting condition is identified and the family feels ready - so that the team can build relationships, provide support, and plan care proactively rather than waiting until a crisis arises.

How to refer:

·Referrals are usually made by your lead consultant* or another healthcare professional involved in your child’s care.

Community care:

·The team can provide palliative care at home for children and young people who are registered with a local GP practice.

·This may include care plan reviews, medication reviews, clinics at home and more…

*Lead Clinician Referral – What It Means:

A lead clinician referral means that a healthcare professional who is directly involved in the child or young person’s care (such as a paediatrician, GP, hospital consultant, community nurse, or specialist doctor) makes the formal referral to another service or professional.

This ensures that:

The child’s clinical history and current needs are clearly shared with the new service.

Referrals are appropriate, timely, and coordinated across different teams.

Families do not have to repeatedly explain their situation or gather clinical documents themselves.