A Terminal Care Plan (also known as an End-of-Life Plan) should form part of the Advanced Care Plan. It is a separate document that deals specifically with end-of-life issues and concerns.

Checklist of information needed in terminal care plan

• Personal details-
  • Name
  • Main caregivers
  • Diagnosis
  • Home language
• Management of pain and symptoms e.g. excessive secretions, nausea and agitation.
• Comfort measures to be taken-
  • Non-essential drugs stopped and required medication to treat symptoms started
  • Inappropriate interventions stopped e.g. blood tests and intravenous lines.
  • Resuscitation status agreed and recorded
  • Syringe driver considered and set up, if available
• Spiritual needs of the child and family assessed
• Communication with the family-
  • Who makes decisions within the family?
  • How can they be contacted?
• Communication with other professionals-
  • Who are the key professionals involved?
  • How can they be contacted?
• Out of hours emergency details (if the child is being cared for at home)-
  • Who will the family call in an emergency?
  • What will happen?
  • Do the family know what to do?
  • Have they got enough medication?
  • Do they know how to manage the situation if the child is dying?