Paediatric palliative care across Australia

Background: Palliative Care Australia (PCA) and Paediatric Palliative Care Australia and New Zealand (PaPCANZ) have been funded by the Australian Government to collaboratively deliver a Paediatric Palliative Care National Action Plan (National Action Plan). This research Study is one of several activities conducted to address the National Action Plan project objectives. The project commenced in July 2020 and will be conducted over three years. The activity work plan comprises 10 activities to address the project objectives, which are to:•Increase knowledge of gaps in adequate paediatric palliative care service provision and identify where additional services are needed.•Improve support and information resources for parents and children with a life limiting condition, the workforce in hospitals, and high care and palliative care providers.•Enhance practical assistance to children with high medical needs and life limiting conditions by coordinating a national approach.Aims: To report a baseline study of need and gap analysis of delivery of palliative care services across Australia,Methods: A pragmatic approach has been taken to address the aims of this research and answer the research questions. Health administration data held by Queensland Statistical Services Branch (SSB), Children’s Health Queensland and Hummingbird House Children’s Hospice will be linked by and extracted by SSB. Children and young people will be identified by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification codes, as contained in the Hain’s Directory of Life-limiting Conditions. Data will be extracted for individuals aged 0-21 years who meet inclusion criteria. Following data analysis, the findings will be discussed with the project team and project consultants, to explore and identify potential strategies and make recommendations for further research, to overcome gaps and increase access to appropriate services for families. Case studies will be presented to provide the voice of children and their families in the context of this work. Results: This project is ongoing. Results to date will be presented