Dr Alison Bowers1,2, Dr Gursharan Singh1,2, Prof Natalie Bradford1,2, A/Prof Stuart Ekberg1, Mrs Alison McLarty3, Dr Anthony Herbert3, Dr Katie Ekberg4, D/Prof Patsy Yates1,2, Dr Zoe Dettrick1
1Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, 2Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Brisbane, Australia, 3Children’s Health Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 4University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Biography:
Alison Bowers, Queensland University of Technology and the Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Brisbane.
Abstract:
Background: In Australia, there is a paucity of data for paediatric palliative care to inform health service planning and policy development. This project was conducted as part of the Paediatric Palliative Care National Action Plan Project to help address this gap.
Aims: For children and young people (aged 0-21 years) with a condition that may benefit from paediatric palliative care:
Report the Queensland clinical and demographic characteristics for the 2018 and 2019 calendar years
Explore factors associated with referral to specialist palliative care in Queensland
Estimate the need for paediatric palliative care in Australia by state and territory
Methods: Data from Queensland data collections (Hospital Admitted Patient Data, Emergency Department Data, Perinatal Data, Registrar General Deaths and Children’s Health Queensland Paediatric Palliative Care Service (QPPCS) database), relating to individuals aged 0-21 years diagnosed with a condition eligible for palliative care, were linked and analysed. Conditions eligible for inclusion were identified using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision codes.
Results: Approximately 90% of the cohort had non-oncological conditions. Overall prevalence increased from 47.3 per 10,000 population in 2018 to 53.4 per 10,000 in 2019.
Approximately 1/3 of referrals to the QPPCS were for infants <1 year of age. Late referrals (<30 days prior to death) were more likely to be for infants aged <1 year and less likely to be aged >10 years than those with timely referrals.
In 2018, approximately 32,145 children and young people had a condition that might have benefited from palliative care. This figure increased to 37,225 for 2019.
Conclusions: The number 0–21-year-olds with a condition that may benefit from paediatric palliative care is increasing. Consistent national data collection procedures are urgently needed to ensure reliable and readily available data to inform paediatric palliative care need in Australia.