always here

Palliative Care Nurses Jess and Becky are here for seriously ill children and their families, offering the very best care at any time of the day and night, wherever they are needed.

As part of the Rapid Response team, Jess and Becky bring all of the services of the hospice into the family home or hospital ward.

“No one day is the same. We are on call all the time, providing emergency or end-of-life care.

“Our daily jobs include being in contact with families and visiting children to manage their symptoms. If a child struggles with pain, we may introduce new medicine. We aim to keep children out of the hospital where we can.

“We support children with palliative care needs, making sure however long or short their precious lives are, life is as good as it can be,” said Becky.

“Some of our most important work is at the end of the phone, when a parent needs advice and a reassuring voice.

“We work as part of a multi-disciplinary team which includes consultants, physiotherapists and nurses. This means we can manage any symptoms at home and avoid hospital admission wherever possible,” Becky continued.

When a child or young person does have to spend time in hospital, Jess and Becky are there too.

Jess said: “We often sit with the child for a few hours to give parents a little break from the ward, whether it be to get a meal, take a shower or pop home.

“We also work with other teams at Claire House, for example, organising a complementary therapy session for a mum to help her relax, or visiting a child with our play specialist to make special memories.

“At the end of a child’s life, sometimes it is the simplest things that are most important – walking in the garden or watching a movie as a family.

“We had a child who transferred to Claire House from hospital and when they came out of the ambulance, mum said it was the first time that he had ever felt rain on his face,” said Jess.

Becky finishes: “It’s a privilege making a difference to children and their families at some of the most difficult times.

“Thanks to you we can continue to be here for families wherever and whenever they need us.”