A pioneering partnership to give families in north Wales the choice of where their seriously ill child dies has been launched by Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospice and Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board.

Until now most end-of-life care for children in the region takes place at the hospice or in hospital, but research indicates that most families would choose for their child to die at home.

The new Out-of-Hours End of Life Nursing Service will give families that choice, and create a network of nurses to support them in their own home if they decide that is where they would prefer their child to die.

Ty Gobaith head of care Angharad Davies said: “This partnership is about giving families choice. We know that most families want to be at home with appropriate support.

“Together we will provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to enable this support to happen.”

She added that some families had received this support in the past, but that was through the goodwill of nursing staff and dependent on factors such as where the family lived.

Jo Douglas, Betsi Cadwaladr clinical service manager, west area, said: “This new service will be much more robust and sustainable, but also flexible and fluid. We are all passionate about making sure everyone will be able to access the service wherever they live in north Wales.

“It is about sharing our experience and working alongside each other to make this work for families.”

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