Implementing partnership working to enhance the care of the acutely unwell child in children's community palliative care services.

Abstract

Children with complex care needs are at an increased risk of developing serious illness which could lead to sepsis. Many children receiving palliative care do not have a completed advance care plan identifying their wishes for ongoing care, which means they would require active intervention if they were to become acutely unwell. Sepsis is the immune system's overreaction to an infection or injury and about 25,000 children are admitted to hospital with sepsis in the UK each year. Early recognition of the acutely unwell child and escalation of concerns from the community to an acute care setting is required to manage and treat a child who is deteriorating. This article describes a project of three phases which aimed to explore the assessment tools available to support recognition and screening of children who became acutely unwell while accessing community palliative care services. It also identifies the importance of working together in partnership with external organisations and acknowledges the achievements of all of the partners involved.