Claire House Children's Hospice

Availability

Referral Details

Eligibility Criteria

• Child/young person is aged 0-18 years 
• Referrals for end of life care up to the age of 23
• An infant under 18 months old with an uncertain prognosis
• The child/young person usually lives in the Claire House catchment area
• Child/young person has a recognised life-limiting/life threatening condition in one of the categories below.

Like most Children’s hospices, our eligibility criteria are based on the four broad groups of children who may require palliative care developed by Together for Short Lives. The groups are described below:
1. Life threatening conditions for which a cure may be feasible but can fail.

Access to palliative care services may be necessary when treatment fails or during an acute crisis.

Examples: cancer, irreversible organ failures of the heart, liver, kidney.

2. Conditions where premature death is inevitable.

There may be long periods of intensive treatment aimed at prolonging life allowing participation in normal activities.

Examples: cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

3. Progressive conditions without curative treatment options.

Treatment is exclusively palliative and may commonly extend over many years.

Examples: Battens disease, mucopolysaccharidoses.

4. Irreversible but non-progressive conditions causing severe disability leading to susceptibility to health complications and likelihood of premature death.

Examples: severe cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities and complex health care needs such as following a brain or spinal cord injury, where there is a high risk of an unpredictable life-threatening event or episode.

The suitability of hospice care for children who fall into the fourth group must meet additional criteria and would take into account the medical information provided and an assessment of each child’s needs.

REFERRALS MUST BE MADE ONLINE VIA OUR ONLINE REFERRAL FORM https://www.clairehouse.org.uk/parents/ways-we-can-help-you/ 

We take referrals from professionals/families and self referrals 

Other notes

For those with a life threatening/life limiting condition - Claire House offers a wide range of services including symptom management, specialist palliative care, respite, day-care, groups, family support/counselling, sibling support, physio, OT, complimentary support, play therapy, music therapy, transitional support, bereavement support and various groups.