TERMINALLY ill children are to receive specialist support from a new team being set up at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital from the start of next month.
The COMPASS team, set up with cash from the New Opportunities Fund, will provide palliative care and bereavement services for youngsters across Somerset.
A group of specialist doctors, nurses, psychologists, family support workers and play specialists will care for young patients with life limiting or threatening illnesses and their families in their own homes.
Until now there has been no formal co-ordinated approach to providing home-based palliative care for children with conditions such as cancer, spinal muscular atrophy or cystic fibrosis.
The team will also help ensure the best possible care from the various agencies involved and provide training and support to other professionals and the children's families.
Families can access the new service through their GP or health visitor, while the team will also accept referrals from Social Services, education and hospital paediatric consultants for children aged up to 16.
The team will be fully operational from February 1 and enquiries should be made through office manager Carly Davies on 01823-342693.
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