Sheffield hospice calls for more government guidance

Some families caring for children with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions say they feel like a “forgotten group” according to the joint study by leading children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives, Martin House Research Centre and the University of Southampton.

Now Together for Short Lives is calling on the government to urgently provide additional guidance for isolated families of children who may need to continue shielding for the foreseeable future.

The study revealed 95 per cent are fearful that their child will catch the virus from their parent.

Simon Hills, Chief Executive at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, said: “Many of the families in our care are under an incredible amount of pressure, and the time they spend at Bluebell Wood for respite provides a very real lifeline.

“We’d like nothing more than to welcome everyone back to the hospice, but their safety has to be our top priority.

“That’s why it’s absolutely vital that the government provides detailed guidance for the families of some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our communities.

“Families caring for children with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions require all the help and support they can get, and they need to know how they will be able to access this support safely.”

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