Authors
- Jennifer Stone1,
- Suzanne Hopkinson1,
- F Hawthorne1
- Hummingbird House1
2018
Excerpt
Jennifer Stone is a registered nurse and midwife currently working at Hummingbird House in Brisbane. Bringing her years of midwifery practice with her to the House, Jen and her colleague Suzanne,have championed the perinatal pathway for those families experiencing the death of a baby in utero and after birth.
Background: Hummingbird House, Queensland’s only children’s hospice, opened in October 2016. A private licenced health facility, offering support for children likely to die before the age of 18 years, specialising in short break stays, family support services, creative therapies, symptom management and end of life care. A purpose-built temperature controlled room, the Hummingbird Suite, can accommodate a child after death for a number of days until their funeral. Eight guest-in-care suites and five family accommodation units enable families to stay with their child, whilst accessing services
Methods: Neonates whose condition fits within one of the Together For Short Lives Categories of Life Threatening and Life Limiting Diseases may be referred. A model of care has been established, facilitating the transfer of neonates at the end of life, or already deceased, with their families to the hospice
Results: Families ability to both be present with their child, and inclusive in their end of life care, has enabled families to face their grief with the support of both clinical and psycho-social support within the House.
Conclusions: The Holistic Needs assessment includes the hopes and wishes of the Guest and family. A case study helps affirm Hummingbird House has achieved its aim.
“ The Warm Embrace “
Background: Hummingbird House, Queensland’s only children’s hospice, opened in October 2016. A private licenced health facility, offering support for children likely to die before the age of 18 years, specialising in short break stays, family support services, creative therapies, symptom management and end of life care. A purpose-built temperature controlled room, the Hummingbird Suite, can accommodate a child after death for a number of days until their funeral. Eight guest-in-care suites and five family accommodation units enable families to stay with their child, whilst accessing services
Methods: Neonates whose condition fits within one of the Together For Short Lives Categories of Life Threatening and Life Limiting Diseases may be referred. A model of care has been established, facilitating the transfer of neonates at the end of life, or already deceased, with their families to the hospice
Results: Families ability to both be present with their child, and inclusive in their end of life care, has enabled families to face their grief with the support of both clinical and psycho-social support within the House.
Conclusions: The Holistic Needs assessment includes the hopes and wishes of the Guest and family. A case study helps affirm Hummingbird House has achieved its aim.
“ The Warm Embrace “