ABSTRACT
A major framework to aid the development in palliative care of children and young people in the UK has been a series of pathways introduced by the Association for Children's Palliative Care (ACT) in 2004, 2007 and 2008. A further pathway for neonates has also just been published by ACT and is being adapted to local use through both Children's Palliative Care and Neonatal Regional Networks in the UK. ACT Care Pathway has three stages: diagnosis or recognition, living with a life-threatening illness or a life-limiting illness and end of life. Each stage begins with a key event of vital significance for the family. The template sets out five sentinel standards along the pathway that should be developed as a minimum for all families, with the aim of achieving equity for all families wherever they live. Some parents were aware of the availability of pathways in the care of their children.
