Basic Symptom Control in Paediatric Palliative Care: the Rainbows Children’s Hospice Guidelines 

The 2008 edition of a children’s palliative care symptom control manual has been launched (30 November 2007) and is now ready to download, free of charge, at the ACT (Association for Children’s Palliative Care) website www.act.org.uk. The manual, Basic Symptom Control in Paediatric Palliative Care: the Rainbows Children’s Hospice Guidelines, now in its seventh year, and used by doctors and nurses throughout the world, is the only resource which provides comprehensive guidelines for treating a wide range of symptoms experienced by children with life-limiting or complex health conditions.

As well as being an ‘industry bible’ for professionals, the manual has also been prepared for the use of parents who are caring for a terminally ill child. It has been written by Dr Satbir Singh Jassal, GP and Medical Director at Rainbows Children’s Hospice, and is a collaboration of work from 27 leading paediatric and palliative care contributors from around the world.

Packed with information about how to appropriately treat a range of symptoms including: infections, mouthcare, nausea and vomiting, seizures, muscle spasm and pain management, the manual also provides detailed information on the quantities, calculation and frequency of administering drugs and treatment for babies and children. Additionally it includes a detailed section on neonatal palliative care and there’s key information on caring for children who have a gastronomy or trachesotomy, or who need home ventilation.

The 7^th Edition of the manual includes new chapters on neonatology, paediatric palliative care emergencies, fluid and electrolyte balance and where to get additional help. It’s provided free of charge as all the contributors work to improve paediatric palliative care around the world. The authors encourage parents and practitioners to download as many copies as necessary, and welcome feedback and requests for new chapters on particular themes. For feedback or more information about the manual contact Dr Sat Jassal at sat@jassal.f9.co.uk.

You can download your free copy of Basic Symptom Control in Paediatric Palliative Care: the Rainbows Children’s Hospice Guidelines, now at http://www.act.org.uk/dmdocuments/Microsoft_Word_-_2008_Symptom_Control_Manual.pdf