Pediatric Palliative Care in Germany

Abstract

Out-patient children’s hospices and in-patient children’s hospices are the primary care providers of affected families in Germany. The children’s hospice work supplements the existing care structures, acute care hospitals and out-patient care providers, without competing with the aforementioned facilities. It closes an existing care provision gap and consists of out- and in-patient areas of responsibility. The fields supplement each other in pursuit of their goal to support the families on this path. Support of the terminally ill child and adolescent begins in the early stages, ideally, immediately after the initial diagnosis. Families are supported beyond the death of the child. However, in conclusion, it must be mentioned that the affected children, adolescents, and their families receive a broad spectrum of support by the existence of nine children’s hospices and approximately 90 out-patient children’s hospice services with dedicated full-time and voluntary staff. This should be expanded in the future.