The Association for Paediatric Palliative Medicine (APPM)

The APPM is an independent organisation. The APPM web pages are kindly hosted by Together for Short Lives

3rd Annual APPM Paediatric Palliative Care Study Day - click here for details

The APPM represents doctors working in paediatric palliative care across all care settings in the UK. The APPM therefore represents both paediatricians with an interest in paediatric medicine and other doctors particularly GPs with a specialist interest, many of whom are working in children's hospices.

The aims of the APPM are:

• To promote the practice of paediatric palliative medicine and the development of standards of good practice. 

• To ensure appropriate standards of education, training and practice of paediatric palliative medicine including through the work of the Royal Colleges of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of General Practice and other relevant institutions.
• To promote equity of access to appropriate and effective paediatric palliative care services.
• To identify priorities for paediatric palliative care research, providing direction and facilitation for research as appropriate.
• To promote co-operation and collaboration with other professionals, statutory and voluntary organizations involved in the care of children and young people with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and their families.
• To maintain formal links and effective communication between relevant medical colleges and other national and international bodies.

APPM current project work

Paediatric palliative care prescribing
The APPM launched the first Master Formulary for Children’s Palliative care in the Spring of 2011.  This single standardised reference formulary provides information on indications, routes and standardised doses for paediatric palliative medicine.  The aim is that the Master Formulary will become the reference source from which all other formularies including the palliative care section of the BNFC will be derived.  Work now continues to address identified priorities for guidance in prescribing in paediatric palliative medicine through systematic literature review, appraisal of available research evidence and  use of consensus methodology where there is insufficient research evidence to inform the next edition of the Master Formulary. 

Support for appraisal and revalidation, particularly for doctors working in paediatric palliative medicine outside the NHS

Development of standards for education and training in paediatric palliative medicine for those not eligible for CCST via RCPCH.

Combined Curriculum in Paediatric Palliative Medicine

College Specialist Advisory Committee (CSAC)
Training in Paediatric Palliative Medicine is quality assured and validated by CSAC. The CSAC sits formally under the RCPCH and is affiliated to the APPM. The CSAC is chaired by Dr Richard Hain. More information is available via the RCPCH website.

Forthcoming Events

• Annual Scientific meeting at the UK Palliative Care Congress, 14th – 16th March 2012, Sage Conference Centre, Gateshead Newcastle Upon Tyne www.pccongress.org.uk.  The call for abstracts is open from 16th March until 23rd September 2011.  See the congress website for more details.
• Association for Paediatric Palliative Medicine and Ethics and Law Special Interest Group joint session, RCPCH Annual Scientific meeting, 24th May 2012, SECC Glasgow.  www.rcpch.ac.uk/events/annual-conference
• 6th International Cardiff Conference on Paediatric Palliative Care: Science, Morality and Meaning: the Palliative Package? 11th – 13th July 2012, Cardiff.  www.icpcn.org.uk or contact PPC2012@cardiff.ac.uk. Abstract submission closes on 1st February 2012
• APPM study day November 2012

APPM Executive:

• Dr Anna-Karenia Anderson - Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, and CHASE-Shooting Stars Hospice for children, Surrey.

• Dr Lynda Brook (Chair) - Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine, Alderhey Hospital, Liverpool.

• Dr Pat Carragher (Treasurer) - Medical Director, Children's Hospices Association Scotland (CHAS).

• Dr Emily Harrop - Hospice Doctor, Helen and Douglas House, Oxford.

• Dr Sat Jassal - GP and Medical Director to Rainbows Children’s Hospice, Loughborough.

• Dr Michelle Koh (Vice Chair) – Locum Consultant  in Paediatric Palliative Medicine (for Renee McCulloch), Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.

• Dr Susie Lapwood - Lead Doctor, Helen and Douglas House, Oxford.

• Dr Victoria Lidstone - Consultant in Palliative Medicine and All Wales Clinical Lead for Transition in Palliative Care.

• Dr Heather McCluggage – Associate Specialist in Community Paediatrics, Northern Ireland.

• Dr Mike Miller (Secretary) - Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine, Martin House Hospice and Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

• Dr Dermot Murphy – Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, York Hill Hospital, Glasgow.

• Dr Toni Wolff – Disability Paediatrician, Nottingham.

Constitution
The APPM constitution can be downloaded here. 
 

Contact APPM
Email: Dr Lynda Brook - Chair Association for Paediatric Palliative Medicine