Child Hospice -the first one in Belgium

End-of-life care quality for children, the first child hospice in Belgium​
When a child suffers from a life-shorting or life-threatning illness, in most cases it is in need of complex and intensive medical care and supervision. When too complex to provide this care at home, there is no other option then to stay in the hospital in the last stage of life. Yet, the environment in which the child spends his/her last moments of life is crucial for the child, as well as for the family. 
When family needs to make such a decision, there is no option in between hospital or home. Not yet. My dream is to provide this 'in-between option' with the best of both worlds, to families dealing with childhood palliative care. I believe this could drastically improve the way in which we, as caregivers, can improve the quality of care and by that the quality of life for the family as a whole. This 'in-between option' is called a child hospice, which aims to provide specialized hospice care to children.
A home where the child can stay with family, where they can feel at home, where close friends can come visit and have a sleepover, where no hospital feeling is present, but where all needed medical care and emotional support is directly available.

Explaining the concepts
Many people confuse palliative care with end-of-life care, or hospice care. Although hospice care and palliative care programs share a similar goal of providing symptom relief and pain management, the two are not the same:

• Palliative care can be provided at any time during a person's illness, even from the time of diagnosis. It is not dependent on prognosis (a patient's outcome) and may be provided along with life-prolonging or curative care. Palliative care can be provided in hospitals, outpatient settings, and at home.
• Hospice care is a specific type of palliative care that focuses solely on providing care to patients who are not expected to recover. It is intended for people who are no longer getting treatment for their medical condition and who are expected to live for 6 months or less. Hospice care may be provided at home, in the hospital, or in a hospice facility.

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/palliative-care.html

Advantages and aims
One of the advantages in providing this option is the relieve of anxiety about the availability of adequate medical care during end-of life care at home. 
The other advantage is providing an option that allows family and friends to surround the child, whenever they desire. There are much more possibilities and less restrictions compared to a hospital stay. 
With the first child hospice we aim to provide continuative care to the children. Meaning that there is a strong link with the hospital in which treatment is given, so the best qualitative care  can continuously be provided. A close connection with familiar doctors and nursing staff may also bring confidence and comfort to the child and family.

Limitations 
Naturally, it is of great importance to consider possible limitations/ challenges we can be facing in the course of time.
One of the challenges to consider is the absence of existing palliative care structures, with specific regards to children. Evidently, the concept of child hospice is not (yet) included in current care structures, legislation and insures arrangements. 
Furthermore, a child hospice is in need of well specialized trained staff. Even so, it is crucial to consider the place where the (first) hospice will be located, with an emphasis on the accessibility.
Additionally, providing continuative care (a continuum from diagnosis to death with the same staff) is something to be well planned and carefully considered in policy making and organization.
All of the above mentionned items are challenges which require to be carefully considered, but will not stop or limit us in making this dream to become reality. 
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Existing Child hospices internationally 
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Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. - Harriet Tubman