Bridge team

Although the cure rates for childhood cancer have risen sharply in the last 20 years, around 500 children and young people die of cancer in Germany every year. The aim of palliative medical care is to maintain the best possible quality of life for these children and their families and to alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

For most families, the desire to spend the remaining time with their children at home is paramount. At the same time, however, there is also a great need for secure and continuous medical and psychosocial care that allows families to be accompanied and supported and to treat distressing symptoms in a targeted and needs-oriented manner.

Since 2003, 10-15 children and adolescents per year have been cared for at home by the physicians of the Clinical Department for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology in close cooperation with outpatient care services. Thanks to the connection to the Department's background service, a physician is available around the clock as a contact person. Home visits are made if necessary.

Thanks to the support of the Verein für krebskranke Kinder Hannover e.V., the concept of a multidisciplinary palliative and bridging team has been implemented since 2009 with the aim of improving the transition from inpatient to home care and creating a holistic range of care provided by physicians, nursing staff, physiotherapists, psychologists and chaplains.

Facilities or Institutions of the pediatric palliative and bridge team were awarded the first "Clinical Department LOM 2008" prize by the MHH in May 2009.