Refer a child

Who we help

We support babies, children and young people who have a confirmed life-limiting or life-threatening condition.

The service is offered to babies, children and young people from birth – 25 years, living within the East Midlands. We are also able to support families antenatally.

Referrals can be made by a healthcare professional involved with baby, child or young person. If you require further information please contact the Hospice.

Emergency and urgent referrals for palliative or end-of-life care can be made at any time. We do everything we can to respond very quickly. Please complete a referral form and contact the hospice via phone and ask to speak to one of our palliative care team.

How to refer

Babies, children and young people can access Rainbows services if they: –

• have a degenerative condition that will lead to their death before or during early adulthood;
• are currently palliative and/or are likely to die within 1 year or their medical team would not be surprised if they died within a year.;
• have a current oncology diagnosis and are receiving active treatment and/or are palliative and/or are likely to die in the next 1 year;

Referrals can be made by anyone involved with the baby, child, young person or family, including the family themselves. We’ll then obtain the information we need from the child’s/young person’s GP and consultant. One of our nurses will be in touch with the family to tell them about us and learn more about the child/young person.

Your referral matters to us

To speak to someone about referring a child or young person, call: 01509 638 000 or download the referral form and referral criteria form. Both of these must be completed and submitted via [email protected] 

To speak to someone about an antenatal referral, call: 01509 638 000 or download the antenatal referral form and referral criteria form. Both of these must be completed and submitted via [email protected]