Abstract

Although there has been a great improvement in the prognosis for children with cancer it is still the cause of death in over 400 children in the UK each year. The care of adults dying from malignant disease has changed considerably over the last 20 years with the development of palliative medicine and hospices. This raises the question: should similar facilities be developed for children with cancer and if not how should palliative care be delivered? This paper draws on preliminary data from the experiences of the Symptom Care Team at Great Ormond Street Hopsital for Children, London to discuss the places of death of 94 children cared for betwen 1987-8.