Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) is a growing field within paediatrics, medicine in general and Switzerland. However, we are still a long way from comprehensive provision in Switzerland.
The goal of PPC is to improve or at least maintain the quality of life (QOL) of the individual seriously ill child and his/her family. To achieve this goal, PPC should start early, be flexible and be based on the needs of the child and his/her family and the circumstances of care - at home, in hospital or elsewhere. Interprofessional PPC services have been established in several Children’s Hospitals and networking has been flourishing for several years.
This presentation will look at the basics of PPC - who can benefit, what helps to improve quality of life and what are the facilitators and barriers to PPC in Switzerland.

Lecturer:
Eva Bergsträsser, MD MSc
Head of Centre of Competence for Paediatric Palliative Care, University Children’s Hospital Zurich