A national child palliative care service is desperately needed and will save millions, according to a new report.
Dr Amanda Evans is the founder of Rei Kōtuku, a pilot programme providing paediatric palliative care for children and adolescents in the North Island from Wellington to Hawke's Bay.
Amanda has been providing palliative care since the middle of last year and the service runs out of funding in 2026.
The family of Otis Hill - who died in February after a two-year fight with cancer - were supported by Amanda and the Rei Kōtuku service.
His mother, Rachel Hill, says the support they received was 'incredible' - and she is backing a call to expand the country's permanent child palliative care service to be nationwide.
At the moment it is only available at Starship Hospital in Auckland. The Rei Kōtuku report 'Unheard Cries' found 3000 children needed palliative care each year, but 75 per cent do not get it.
It argues a nationwide palliative care service would save the country $22 million by reducing hospital visits.
Kathryn talks to Amanda and Rachel about the case for a nationwide palliative service for children.
Photo: Hagen Hopkins
