Mark Allen Publishing Ltd

Background: Service providers face difficult decisions about how best to develop services for the increasing numbers of young people with life-limiting conditions who require palliative care.

Objective: To explore alternative short break and emergency respite care options to children's hospice care.

Methods: A two-phase evaluation with young people, families and professionals.

Umbrella body Shared Lives Plus calls for national awareness raising campaign to help boost carer numbers. 

For community nurses, the first step in ensuring a carer's wellbeing is to be mindful of not adding to the person's burden themselves. To create and maintain safe and effective care for patients relies on collaboration between nurses and the families and carers, which may involve nurses delegating caring duties to a carer. But, in line with the professional code, this should only happen if the carer is competent, supervised, supported, and understands the task, its complexity and expected outcomes (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2015).