New paediatric palliative care tool aims to reduce delayed referrals for children and their families

Palliative Care Australia (PCA) has released a new Paediatric Palliative Care Referral Decision-Making Guideline Tool to assist health professionals to identify the earliest appropriate time to refer children to paediatric palliative care services.

Designed for referring health practitioners caring for children with life-limiting conditions, the decision-support tool aims to increase confidence in making timely, compassionate referrals to palliative care services, for better care outcomes for children and their families.  

How does the decision-making guideline tool work?

Clinicians go through a set of questions that are aimed at understanding the child and family’s overall situation. Answering these questions can help clinicians decide whether referral should be considered now, soon or later, and ensures families are introduced to paediatric palliative care as early as possible, in a way that supports choice and coordinated care.

The questions are organised into 5 key areas:

• condition and referral types

• progression and management of conditions

• child and family needs

• service considerations

• clinician reflection.

Why is this important?

According to Palliative Care Australia (PCA), the national peak body for palliative care, “referrals to paediatric palliative care are often delayed due to uncertainty among healthcare professionals and families.”

Empowering clinicians to make timely and informed decisions helps improve equitable access to palliative care across Australia, particularly for children and families navigating complex health journeys.

More paediatric palliative care resources for health professionals

• Learn about Australia’s first Paediatric Palliative Care Clinical Guidelines.

• Access PCA’s paediatric palliative care resources.