"We're teetering on unsteady ground" parents' experiences of accessing 24/7 paediatric end-of-life care: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Providing high quality around-the-clock care, is key to supporting families in their preferred place of care. Changing symptoms and parents' distress cannot wait for 'opening hours'. Yet in the UK, 24/7 children's end-of-life care remains a significant postcode lottery. To inform equitable service development this study explored parents' experiences accessing 24/7 paediatric palliative care, their expectations and needs.

Methods

Qualitative study using in-depth interviews, analysed using thematic analysis. Parents in one region of England, were eligible if their child had a life-limiting condition and end-of-life care was planned, or if they were bereaved parents whose child had died within the previous 3-36 months.

Results

Twenty-six parents were interview

SUBMITTER: Barrett L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12613421 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature