Paediatric palliative medicine physicians provide holistic supportive care with multidisciplinary teams to provide relief from symptoms and to optimise quality of life during different phases of life-limiting illnesses, including at the end of life, for children and their families.

For the purpose of this document, “children” may refer to perinates, neonates, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

Paediatric palliative specialists have training, experience, and expertise in:

partnering with children and families to provide tailored practical and emotional support

identifying and managing physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of care

providing child- and family-centred care to those with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

Paediatric palliative medicine provision is based on individual needs, and may include:

  • high-level interpersonal and communication skills
  • competence in assessment and relief of physical, emotional, and existential symptoms
  • facilitating discussions between and within families and care teams
  • planning for future medical treatment decisions and goals of care
  • working within and across multidisciplinary teams
  • accessing equipment needed to aid care in both the hospital and home environment
  • links to other services, such as home help, financial support, and respite care
  • support for emotional, social, and spiritual concerns
  • end-of-life and after-death care provision
  • counselling and grief support.
Last modified: Wednesday, 20 August 2025, 3:48 PM