Needs Assessment for respite facility for children with a life limiting illness

The Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) engaged HMA to undertake

“an independent needs assessment for establishing a second facility in metropolitan Sydney to provide a day program and overnight care facility for children with a life limiting illness in NSW”.

The purpose of the needs assessment was to develop practical options for a second respite facility in metropolitan Sydney. This project involved:

• a literature search of respite models of care for children with a life limiting illness
• stakeholder consultation
• telephone interviews with a selection of parents / family members
• estimating projected demand
• defining key criteria for the optimal location of the respite facility
• a workshop with key stakeholders to refine the service model and location options developed, and
• a Final Report.

This project commenced in May 2015 and was completed in July 2015