Children affected by a parent's terminal illness need special - and planned - support in order to come to terms with what is happening. This can take a long time to do properly and sensitively. At present this support doesn't exist, such that sometimes the first a child learns about a parent's terminal illness is when their patient is in their last days or hours of life - which is far too late.

We wish to introduce a C&FSW who will be involved as soon as a patient is referred to the Hospice. She/he would work to help the child(ren) understand the devastating news that no further treatment is available and that their loved one is going to die. Support would include 1-1, family therapy, supporting the school or supporting the people who are trying to care for the children. They will encourage the expression of feelings and help parents tell their children the news.