Paediatric palliative care

Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program (VPPCP)
Very Special Kids (VSK)

The Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program (VPPCP) is a collaboration of the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Very Special Kids (VSK) and Monash Health.

Funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, the VPPCP is a consultation-liaison team responsible for the facilitation of care of children with palliative care needs and their families. The team do not provide direct patient care. Rather, team members facilitate better communication between hospitals and care providers in the community, thus allowing more children to be cared for at home.

The VPPCP team is comprised of specialist doctors, case managers/social workers, occupational therapists and nurses who work closely with each of the member organisations to coordinate care and provide appropriate advice regarding various aspects of patient management. Educational activities for staff from both hospital and community agencies are also offered by the VPPCP.

Demystifying Paediatric palliative care

The Paediatric Palliative Care National Action Plan Project team are grateful for the honesty and vulnerability shared in this video, from two mothers and a nurse practitioner about what palliative care was for them.  The video shows two mothers initial reaction upon hearing the words ‘paediatric palliative care’ in relation to their child’s condition and their subsequent paediatric palliative care experience. We also hear from a paediatric palliative care nurse consultant who supported them during the care of their children.

Paediatric palliative care website launched

The new website, a joint partnership between Palliative Care Australia and Paediatric Palliative Care Australia and New Zealand, contains content tailored to the specific needs of families and carers, health professionals, and young people.

Royal Children’s Hospital Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program

Phone: 9345 5374

Fax: 9345 6240

Website: Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program (VPPCP)

Very Special Kids (VSK)

Phone: 9804 6222 or 1800 888 875

Fax: 9822 1252

Website: Very Special Kids (VSK)