On the 15th of December, the 1st Conference on Paediatric Palliative Care "Integrating the illness into the life of the child and their family" was held at the Cudeca Foundation's Institute for Training and Research, attended by around 60 healthcare professionals, including paediatricians, doctors, nurses, psychologists and social workers.

The conference was attended by Dr. Yusuf Hamied, President of CIPLA and benefactor of CUDECA; Sergi Navarro Vilarrubí, Head of the Palliative Care and Complex Chronic Patient Unit of the Hospital Sant Joan de Deu and President of Pedpal; María José Peláez Cantero, Paediatrician of the Complex Chronic and Palliative Care Unit of the Hospital Materno-Infantil del H. U.R of Malaga and Vice-president of Pedpal; Víctor Manuel Navas López, Medical Director of the Regional University Hospital of Malaga; and Dr. Marisa Martín, Chief Executive and Medical Director of CUDECA Foundation.

The conference featured presentations by leading professionals in paediatric palliative care at Andalucian and national level and debated relevant issues such as what children suffering from incurable diseases and their families need to live well, how to organise the services and care provided in the child's environment so that it is of high quality and what professionals are needed to carry it out.

On the other hand, the right of children to enjoy their childhood, that is to say, to play, socialise, have fun and be as close as possible to their loved ones and friends, was highlighted. In addition, there were practical workshops for those attending, focusing on the importance of including therapies that integrate play and therapy in palliative care.

The beginning and the end of the conference was taken up by the voices of relatives: How does a sister and  father manage the loss? How do they cope with the illness of their loved one?

Another point  highlighted was the rest or respite as a frequent family need when the care of the sick child is continuous and complex, as well as the importance of the environment and specific, complete and accessible equipment for the humanisation of care. All these aspects are included and prioritised by Cudeca Foundation in its new paediatric unit.

The conference did not end without the proposal of a new meeting between professionals next year, in order to continue to give voice to the needs of children with incurable diseases and their families and to the care required to add life to their days until the end