Little Stars – UK Hospice Going Global
This week we are pleased to be supporting the release of a short film that encourages sharing skills and knowledge of children’s palliative care internationally. This film explains what we can learn together by international linking and collaboration.
Dame Cicely Saunders had a global vision: that palliative care should become part of mainstream health care and that its principles and skills should be adapted to local settings and cultures.
Hospice and palliative care has now developed in 136 countries, but only 66 of these have some form of children’s palliative care. There is still so much to do to make sure everyone with a life-limiting illness has access to medical, psychological, spiritual and social support.
Across the world, it is thought that there are 20 million children who could benefit from palliative care. Unfortunately, despite palliative care being an essential human right, only a very small minority of these children will have access to the care they need. Unlike children in the UK, many children around the world have no alternative but to suffer unnecessary pain and isolation.
This is because there is a lack of understanding of what children’s palliative care is and who it is for. Very few health workers are trained in working with children. Crucially, across the world there is fear and taboo in acknowledging illness and death in children – both by families and also by health professionals.
It doesn’t matter where they are in the world, all children have the same palliative care needs. Even when resources are limited, good quality hospice and palliative care for children can be provided – it may look different but the end result is the same – improving quality of life, and relieving suffering.
Ultimately we are all working to let children be children as much as possible. We need to do more. We have a responsibility to come together and share our knowledge.
Please watch this film to find out more about international children’s palliative care and how to get involved
email: Sue at info@icpcn.org
You can find more useful information at
OTHER SHORTFILMS
Lucy’s Story – Art and Children’s Palliative Care
Lucy is a teenager living with her family in Munich, Germany. People say her art is exceptional, and indeed it is, not only does it look wonderful but she has the added challenge of having to hold her brush in her mouth to paint. Lucy has...
Faith and Dying – Joshua’s Story
"Just never give up hope, there will always be miracle happen, I will not give up hope on him, never." Yoong Teck Chin In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia we meet Yoong Teck Chin, Joshua's mother. "When he was small he was so adorable, so chubby and...
Treating Chronic Pain in Children
"Taking pain away is not really rocket science, it’s not that difficult. If we can teach any residence, any junior doctors in one or two hours to manage 90% of children with acute pain. However most children’s hospitals have not yet...
Nazmi’s Story – Prospering with a Genetic Disorder
Read an update from Nazmi here “I honestly feel that there is no need for euthanasia at all. I think it is looking at suffering and end of life care in entirely the wrong way. There are many, many solutions in suffering and euthanasia is...
Palliative Care & Cerebral Palsy – Nadia’s Story
Please consider supporting the important work of the Russian Children’s Palliative Care Foundation www.rcpcf.ru In Moscow, Russia we meet Svetlana Selyukova, Nadia’s Sister “I think we have a regular sisterly relationship. She is annoying, I...
Calvin’s Story – Children’s Hospice
"I'm so desperate for Calvin to get his independence and try to be a normal boy as much as he can," reflects Maureen Muteesa from London, the mother of 8 year old Calvin who is living with a serious illness. Calvin's Story demonstrates the...
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – David Suchet
This short film, narrated by acclaimed British actor David Suchet CBE, communicates some of the key principles of children's palliative care. Regrettably, not all children are blessed with the gift of good health. In fact, there are over...
Little Stars Greece Crowdfunding Campaign
Little Stars is a film project told through the voices of young people and their families. It showcases the stories of children and young people accomplishing the extraordinary in the face of serious illness. This UNIVERSAL ISSUE touches...
