Palliative Care for Children South Africa (PatchSA)

Palliative Care for Children South Africa (PatchSA) is a national charity that aims to share specialised knowledge, tools, resources and opportunities to ensure the best possible care for children with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses, and to provide support to healthcare professionals, families and lay caregivers.

A registered non-profit, PatchSA advocates at regional and national level for the right of all children who need it to receive good palliative care. It supports the development of services and the upskilling of healthcare professionals working in both government and non-government facilities where children with serious and life-limiting illnesses are treated.

PatchSA provides a supportive network for bereaved parents and family members as well as those who may be coping with a child’s life-limiting diagnosis and care.

Patch Academy

Patch Academy is the education branch of PatchSA and provides an online learning platform offering immediate access to dedicated training on various aspects of paediatric palliative care.

Patch Academy courses are suited for individual learning and provide stimulating multi-media content and information for those seeking an interactive and immersive learning experience.

Course content has been created by a group of experts in paediatric palliative care and they are all accredited by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) with Ethics and General CPD Points.

Those undertaking the courses have easy access to a dedicated course coordinator who will be available to respond to queries and offer help when needed.

There are no prerequisites for taking the courses which have been created specifically with South African health care providers in mind. They are relevant to doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologist, pharmacists, therapists, counsellors, spiritual leaders, and anyone who wishes to learn how to provide palliative care to babies, toddlers, children, and adolescents.

Should you wish to learn more or undertake one of the CPD accredited Patch Academy courses, please go to www.academy.patchsa.org