Activities of hospice and palliative care for children as a form of help and support for the family

Despite the development of palliative medicine and the introduction of more and more modern principles of palliative and hospice care, there is still a certain prejudice that further and unprofitable treatment should be abandoned. Palliative medicine is one of the youngest and dynamically developing areas of oncology. The beginnings of modern palliative medicine are related to the works of C. Saunders. This science is opposed to euthanasia but also to persistent therapy. Nowadays, the family of a terminally ill child can benefit from the support of various institutions and social organizations, including the hospice. Hospice activities are aimed at ensuring the best possible care for a sick child and his family. The aim of this article is to outline the history of the hospice itself and how it offers help and support for sick children, especially children and their families.