Care professionals including nurses, doctors, social workers and paramedics came together to find out more about the work of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
The special information evening featured displays, stands and workstations and 26 visitors enjoyed a guided tour of the charity’s Milton hospice.
Staff were on hand to talk about their roles, and others to benefit included consultants, students, lecturers, a music therapist, an occupational therapist and staff from a teenage oncology unit.
Areas covered during the evening included wellbeing services, long-term ventilation, clinical education and symptom management, while visitors got to explore the hospice’s sensory room, den, play room and hydrotherapy pool.
“Our service is always changing and adapting to best meet the needs of children and their families, and evenings like this are a great opportunity to network and showcase what we do,” said EACH Matron Penny McIntosh.
“The visitors came to find out what we offer and what an appropriate referral looks like, so they can share the experience with families that might benefit from EACH support.
“It was also very useful from our point of view, in terms of helping understand each other’s services better, especially where there are areas of overlap or opportunities to work together to improve families’ experiences.
“It was inspirational, and hopefully we can feed off each other, because we all share the same goal – to ensure the best-possible care for children and their families.
“It’s a safe place to have these conversations, and hopefully people left feeling empowered and inspired.”
Most visitors stayed at least two hours, and there was lots of positive feedback.
Visitors got to meet art, music and occupational therapists and find out more about memory-making, family events and after-care, when a baby or child has died.
They also got to see the hospice library, which was of particular interest to students and lecturers.