Paediatric Palliative Care and Hospice Service
Supporting children, young people and families to live well
Our Paediatric Palliative Care and Hospice Service (PPCHS) supports babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and the people who love and care for them, across Western Australia.
We understand that every family’s journey is different. Our role is to walk alongside you, providing care, support and guidance that reflects your child’s needs, your family’s goals, and what matters most to you.
Our service brings together care at home, in hospital, in the community, and at Sandcastles (Boodja Mia) Children’s Hospice. We work closely with your child’s existing healthcare team, helping ensure care is coordinated, compassionate and centred around your family, from diagnosis through to end-of-life care and bereavement.
Children can be referred at any stage of their illness, including from the time of diagnosis. Support may continue for months or years alongside treatments and care provided by other healthcare teams.
Our focus is simple: helping children and families live as well as possible and make the most of every moment.
What is paediatric palliative care?
Paediatric palliative care is specialised support for children and young people living with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Paediatric palliative care focuses on your child's comfort, wellbeing and quality of life. It also provides support for parents, carers, siblings and the wider family, helping you navigate the challenges that can come with caring for a child with a serious illness.
Many people think palliative care is only provided at the end of life, but this is only part of what we do. Children can be referred from the time of diagnosis and may receive support for many years while continuing to access treatments and care with their other healthcare teams.
Every family's needs are different. We work in partnership with you to provide care and support that reflects your child's circumstances, goals and preferences. Support can be provided at home, in hospital and at Sandcastles (Boodja Mia) Children's Hospice.
How we can support your family
Living with a life-limiting condition can affect every part of family life. Our service provides practical, emotional, social and healthcare support to help families feel informed, connected and supported throughout their journey.
Support may include:
- managing symptoms and improving your child's comfort, wellbeing, and quality of life
- helping families plan for the future and make informed decisions about care
- emotional support for children, young people, parents, carers and siblings
- information about medications, equipment and available services
- working with your child's healthcare team and local healthcare providers to help coordinate care
- assistance connecting with community supports, respite services, financial assistance and NDIS-related services
- support and specialist care during end-of-life, when needed
- bereavement support following the death of a child.
Everyone's journey is unique. Whether your family is seeking specialist advice, practical support, symptom management, respite, emotional support or guidance through difficult decisions, PPCHS is here to help you navigate the path ahead and ensure your child and family receive compassionate, coordinated care. Everything we do is guided by a focus on helping children and families live well and enhancing quality of life.
How to access our service
Children and young people can be referred to our service at any stage, including from the time of diagnosis. Because children's conditions can change in different ways and at different times, we encourage early referral so families can access support, information and care tailored to their needs alongside their existing healthcare teams.
Who can be referred:
Our service supports babies, children and young people from birth to 18 years diagnosed with a life limiting condition.
This may include children with:
- Life-threatening conditions where treatment may not be successful
- Progressive conditions that cannot be cured
- Severe non-progressive conditions with high risk of complications
Referral process:
Referrals can be made by GPs, paediatricians, midwives, child health nurses, and medical specialists. Referrals from all clinical specialities are welcome and will be reviewed at intake by a multidisciplinary team.
If you think paediatric palliative care could be helpful for your child and family, we encourage you to speak with a member of your child’s health care team about a referral.
Sandcastles (Boodja Mia) Children’s Hospice
Sandcastles (Boodja Mia) Children's Hospice is Western Australia's first purpose-built children's hospice, and will be welcoming its first families soon.
Operated by CAHS as part of the Paediatric Palliative Care and Hospice Service, and delivered in partnership with Perth Children's Hospital Foundation, Sandcastles provides a welcoming, home-like environment where children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families, can spend meaningful time together while accessing specialist paediatric palliative care.
Located in Swanbourne, Sandcastles offers a home away from home for families across Western Australia, providing around-the-clock specialist care, respite, end-of-life care, symptom management, family and bereavement support.
Designed to be welcoming, comfortable and family centred, Sandcastles includes guest bedrooms, family accommodation, indoor and outdoor play spaces, sensory and therapeutic areas, shared living and dining spaces, a hydrotherapy pool, gardens, and quiet spaces for reflection and connection.
Children and young people aged up to 18 years who are receiving care from PPCHS may be able to access Sandcastles, whether they live in metropolitan, regional or rural Western Australia.
Learn more about Sandcastles (Boodja Mia) Children’s Hospice.
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