Who we are
The Palliative and Bereavement Care Service (PBCS) at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is a team of health care professionals: a clinical nurse specialist, a palliative care doctor, a social worker/coordinator, a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) palliative care and bereavement coordinator, a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) bereavement coordinator and a music therapist. The Palliative and Bereavement Care Service also draws on the special knowledge of other professionals and volunteers like chaplains, social workers, nurses, a bioethicist, a therapeutic clown, physicians, pain experts, volunteers and parents.
We also work closely with our community partners including: Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre, Community Care Access Centres, Interlink Nurses, Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, and community hospices.
Mission Statement
Palliative Care at SickKids is part of a continuum of care for children, youth and families facing any life threatening condition with the goal of enhancing choices, relieving suffering and ensuring the best quality of care during living, dying and grieving. (SickKids draft 2003)
The Palliative and Bereavement Care Team
The Palliative and Bereavement Care Service at SickKids is composed of an interdisciplinary team which includes: a clinical nurse specialist, a palliative care physician, a social worker/coordinator and a music therapist. The Service also draws on the expertise of other formal and informal caregivers such as: chaplains, social workers, nurses, a bioethicist, a therapeutic clown, physicians, pain experts and parents.
The Palliative and Bereavement Care Service is also committed to close partnerships with community care teams including home nurses, hospices, community physicians and other hospitals and palliative care services. Working with community and hospital team partners, the service facilitates comprehensive care planning for children throughout the continuum of the illness experience, including care within the home/community. Services available to families and health care teams are planned to include: inpatient, community and family consultation, collaborative community care, intensive symptom management, psychosocial and spiritual support, music and clown therapy, bereavement counselling and financial support. The Palliative and Bereavement Care Service is also dedicated to the professional development of health care providers and volunteers who care for dying children and their families, high quality research and evidence based practice and advocacy on behalf of children and families who face pediatric life limiting illness and conditions.