Paediatric Palliative Care National Action Plan Project: Background literature review

The development of a paediatric palliative care workforce, models of care, and research evidence has advanced rapidly in recent decades. This provides a solid foundation for further development of paediatric palliative care in Australia. This project, commissioned by Palliative Care Australia, involved a literature review to inform the development of a National Paediatric Palliative Care Action Plan (hereafter ‘National Action Plan’). The National Action Plan will be based on evidence and consultation with key stakeholders.

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of people with life-threatening or life-limiting illness and their families. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment, and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual.1 It is estimated that as many as 21 million children around the world would benefit from paediatric palliative care.2 The aim of paediatric palliative care is to help alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life of a child with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition from the moment of diagnosis, not just at end of life.