Government to spend $15.5 million on palliative care for children

Health Minister Simeon Brown. Photo / Mark Mitchell

By RNZ

The Government will spend $15.5 million over four years to set up a national paediatric palliative care service, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced.

The care would be delivered by dedicated specialist teams in both the North Island and the South Island.

At the moment, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora funds just one specialist paediatric palliative care physician, based at Starship children’s hospital.

Brown made the announcement on Thursday morning and said it would mean children with serious illnesses and their families would be better supported with compassionate, specialist paediatric palliative care closer to home.

The new services would roll out from the middle of next year.

Brown said about 300 New Zealand children die each year from life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.

He said up to 3000 children may require paediatric palliative care support.

Hospice New Zealand says palliative care is a holistic approach that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients and families facing life-limiting or terminal illnesses.

– RNZ