How to refer a baby, child or young person

Who is eligible to access our hospice services?

We support babies, children and young people who have a confirmed life-limiting or life-threatening condition. Babies, children and young people can access Rainbows services if they have:

• A life-threatening condition – conditions for which curative treatment may be feasible but carry a high risk of failure. Conditions requiring intensive therapies and/or interventions to sustain or prolong life.
• A life-limiting condition – conditions where death in childhood or early adulthood is likely due to the progressive nature of the condition or where there is no curative treatment option.
• Medical complexity – conditions causing severe neurological impairment and associated complex comorbidities which mean death in childhood or early adulthood is likely or which increase susceptibility to life threatening events.

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. Any referral for a young person over the age of 18 will be reviewed and considered on an individual basis but may not be appropriate for acceptance at Rainbows.

Referrals can be made by a healthcare professional involved with baby, child or young person. If you require further information please contact the Hospice. If you wish to send any supporting information alongside your referral, please send this to [email protected]

Healthcare professionals and families should be aware that all accepted referrals are reviewed bi-annually and that, during periods of stability, a baby, child or young person may be discharged, and can be re-referred if their health deteriorates in the future.