Progress in palliative care for children in the UK

Paediatric palliative care has continued to develop as a philosophy of care and as a practical clinical service to children with life-limiting conditions. More doctors and nurses identify themselves as particularly interested in the subject, and there is a more modest increase in those considering themselves to be ‘specialists’. Where even five years ago even the phrase ‘palliative care’ was unfamiliar to many paediatricians, there is now an expectation that a specialist service should be available locally. This expectation is not yet met in practice; paediatric palliative care ‘networks’ have emerged in many parts of the country but, in general, these link existing services rather than expanding the service infrastructure. There are even areas in which innovative palliative care services to children have been cut or are under threat. This contribution examines the progress—and some of the regress—in children’s palliative care over the last five years, and considers some augurs for the future.