Dr Tagore Charles, Medical Director at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, has been appointed to two new palliative care clinical networks aiming to improve approaches to research and strategic leadership in children’s palliative care. Since we began offering services in 2006, Noah’s Ark has been dedicated to providing the very best care for babies, children and young people who are seriously unwell. Dr Charles’ involvement in these networks will enable Noah’s Ark to be at the forefront of important developments in research and strategy that advance paediatric palliative care across the UK.
CoPPAR
The first of these networks is The CoPPAR Network – funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and led by Professor Lorna Fraser, director of the Martin House Research Centre.
Until now, much of children’s palliative care in the UK has been based on research conducted amongst adults with palliative care needs. CoPPAR, a collaborative paediatric palliative care research network made up of children, families, clinicians, and scientists from across the country, is working to change this.
The aim of CoPPAR is to deliver high-quality, paediatric-focused research studies and education within the sector, as well as increasing research capacity.
It is supported by Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice along with several other hospice/health service partners that include The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Helen & Douglas House, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and St Oswald’s Hospice.
Commenting on Noah’s Ark involvement in CoPPAR, Dr Tagore Charles said:
‘I am proud that the staff at Noah’s Ark have been given the opportunity to improve palliative and end-of-life care for children by collaborating with internationally recognised colleagues across the UK, led by Professor Lorna Fraser. In developing high quality research, we can strive to ensure that children get the best possible evidence-based care.’
The Strategic Clinical Network for Palliative & End of Life Care
Dr Tagore Charles has also been jointly appointed to the new role of Children & Young People Clinical Lead for The Strategic Clinical Network for Palliative & End of Life Care. The main focus of this network is to provide strategic leadership and expert clinical support to commissioners and providers around palliative and end-of-life care in London.
The creation of a Children and Young People’s (CYP) work-stream within it will ensure London has a consistent approach to specialist palliative care referrals for all ages.
Commenting on his new role, Dr Tagore Charles said:
‘During the pandemic, The Strategic Clinical Network for Palliative & End of Life Care has improved care across London. This new post has been created to give a voice to children and their families with palliative and end-of life-care needs. I am pleased to have been jointly appointed with Amy Volans, an eminent Clinical Psychologist with a strong track record of improving palliative care for children and their families. Together, with our contrasting but complementary experience, I hope this will lead to equity of provision of high quality care across London.’