Life SHORTENing conditions
Children with life shortening conditions
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) were supported by the Scottish Government to carry out ground-breaking research that established the number of children in Scotland with life-shortening conditions.
The main findings from the CHAS report outline;
Three children die each week, nearly 40% die before they reach their first birthday.
There is a strong relationship between poverty and life-shortening conditions.
Children from South Asian and black families are more likely to have a life shortening condition than those from white backgrounds.
Types of support
When children and their families receive news of life-shortening conditions this can be overwhelming and brings many challenges and worries.
The Together for Short Lives organisation (www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk) offers different types of support, some of which are listed below:
Bereavement Support
Phone support; 0808 8088 100
Email support; info@togetherforshortlives.org.uk
Live chat support; on their website (www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk)
A Family Companion
The core pathway for children and young people living with life threatening conditions. The document includes information on support available and the process which may take place.
You can download this here: https://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FamResFamilyCompanion.pdfCaring for your child at the end of life
A guide for parents and carers, to help provide information for end of life care.
You can access this here; https://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/TfSL-Caring-for-a-child-at-end-of-life-Parents.pdfInformation sheets
Including:
End of Life Planning
Parent Support Groups
Children’s Hospice Services
Emotional Support & Counselling
Care Planning in Advance
Spiritual, Religious and Cultural Wishes
Understanding Siblings’ Needs
Talking with your child about their Life-limiting Condition
When a Child dies – questions parents ask
References
Children's Hospices Across Scotland www.chas.org.uk
The Together for Short Lives organisation www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk