Today I am going to set out four points and with them four challenges – by addressing each I think we can help to improve the quality of care at the end of life. But before we turn to them I’d like to underline how delighted I was to be asked to speak at this conference because all too often...
A free guide is now available for professionals to support young people with uncertain life-expectancy who want to experience intimacy, sex and relationships. Talking about Sex, Sexuality and Relationships: Guidance and Standards has been published by The Open University in partnership with Together for Short Lives. It sets out principles, guidance and standards for health, social care and education practitioners who...
Today, I am hosting a parliamentary reception on behalf of Together for Short Lives – the UK charity for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. The event is part of the charity’s campaign to secure an around the clock service for children who need palliative care. Having worked in children’s hospices before entering Parliament, I know first-hand how tirelessly staff...
My name is Lucy Watts and I am 22 years old. I have a life-limiting/life-threatening form of a condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I spend a lot of time in hospital, but I want to be supported in the community, in my home where I belong, with my mum, Kate, my elder sister, Vicky, a cat, Joey, and my assistance dog...
We are fortunate to live in a country where end of life care is the best in the world. Like many across the children’s palliative care sector, I’ve spent time reflecting on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Quality of Death Index and what it means for the 49,000 children across the UK with life shortening conditions. The report itself is focussed on...
Together for Short Lives has published a new edition of the Medicines Management Toolkit - designed to give guidance on improving the safety and quality of medicines management in children’s hospice and palliative care services across the UK. Written by Gerry Armitage, professor at the University of Bradford and Bradford Institute of Heath Research, the updated edition recognises new evidence...
