This is a type of specialised care delivered by trained professionals, including medical as well as allied health practitioners such as counsellors and therapists. The objective is to improve the quality of life for children who are suffering from life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.

We admit children and minors up to 19 years of age, with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.

Life-threatening conditions are those for which the patient may be critically ill, but has a chance of getting well. Life-limiting conditions are those from which the child’s chance of attaining adulthood is compromised.

Do note that admission to our Star PALS services is strictly by referral only. Download the referral form.

Palliative care is best described as supportive care for a child whether he or she has a chance of cure or remission, whether on or off medical treatment. It starts with diagnosis of a serious condition and may extend to hospice care. Hospice care traditionally refers to end-of-life care.

Our multidisciplinary team brings a wide range of medical and social services to the child and their families at home. Here is a non-exhaustive list of positive outcomes we seek to deliver:

• 

  Manage symptoms of discomfort caused by the illness.

• 

  Aid each child’s gradual transition back to school during the period of treatment.

• 

  Reduce the need for frequent visits to the hospital.

• 

  Ensure that primary caregivers have the right skills and knowledge to look after the child at home.

• 

  Provide emotional support for the caregivers.

• 

  Facilitate the arrangement for equipment loan and/or financial assistance.

• 

  Providing respite for our caregivers from the demands of 24/7 care through the service of our Medi Minders.

We would very much encourage that. Star PALS believes that every healthcare worker in the network of care can improve a child’s quality of life. Through active collaboration, we seek to work out a suitable model of care for each family based on their needs.

We will contact you as soon as we receive the referral from your specialist. After which, visits will be conducted fortnightly (on average), dependent on the child’s condition.

The timing of these regular home visits can be arranged in accordance to each family’s convenience and our team’s availability.

Star PALS can coordinate with the school authorities to meet the child at his/her school. This is subject to our team’s assessment of the situation and their availability.

When the child’s condition has stabilised and the caregivers are confident of meeting his/her needs on their own, we will discharge the child temporarily from our service. Should our services be needed again, your child can be referred back to us through the primary healthcare provider.

HCA is a registered charity that provides Star PALS services free-of-charge to all our patients, regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, nationality and financial status.