Ethical aspects

Equal availability of palliative care services to all children:

1. 1. Palliative care services should be available to every child and their family, 24/7, all year long, irrespective of their financial situation and other factors.
2. Respecting child’s interests:
   • It is the parents’ choice whether to accept or decline palliative care.
   • Every child and their family should be treated with respect. Palliative care services should be discussed and coordinated with them.
   • All information shared by the child and his or her family with the palliative care provider is confidential.
   • Information should be provided to the family in a simple and understandable way.
   • Before publishing any personal information regarding an untreatable child’s condition, written parental consent must be obtained.
   • Children will not be subjected to treatments that impose burden without benefit.
   • Patients should have access to the least invasive and most convenient medicines and treatment options.
3. Decision making in children’s palliative care:
   • Care should be based on an honest and transparent approach to the children’s palliative service options available and should be selected according to an individual care plan.