With more than 25 years of experience in paediatric palliative medicine, Dr Lisa Cuddeford has helped shape the vision for Western Australia’s first dedicated children’s hospice.
Dr Lisa Cuddeford is Head of Department, Paediatric Palliative Care and Hospice Service at the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS).
Lisa’s experience spans hospital, community and hospice care. In the UK, she helped establish a Community Paediatric Palliative Care Service in Birmingham before serving as Medical Director of Acorns Children’s Hospice.
That breadth of experience has given her a deep understanding of how specialist care can support children and families across different settings, and how a dedicated hospice can work alongside hospitals, schools and community providers to provide care shaped around each family.
Before moving to Australia, Lisa helped establish a Community Paediatric Palliative Care Service in Birmingham and served as Medical Director of Acorns Children’s Hospice.
For Lisa, palliative care is fundamentally about quality of life.
“There is a common misconception that palliative care is only about end-of-life care, but in reality, it is about helping children and families live as well as possible for as long as possible,” Lisa said.
“For some families, involvement with paediatric palliative care may continue for years; for others, only weeks. But the goal remains the same: helping children and their families live as meaningfully and fully as possible.”
This can involve managing complex symptoms, providing families with opportunities for respite, coordinating care across hospitals, schools, and community services, and supporting parents, siblings, and other family members.
“It is deeply rewarding to work alongside families, schools, hospitals and community providers to deliver care that is personalised, holistic and focused on what matters most to each child and family,” Lisa said.
Dr Lisa Cuddeford, Head of Department, Paediatric Palliative Care and Hospice Service at CAHS.
Shaping care around children and families
Drawing on her experience in both community palliative care and children’s hospice leadership, Lisa has helped shape the vision for Sandcastles (Boodja Mia). This has involved considering not only the specialist care children will receive, but how the hospice can support the whole family through respite, symptom management, bereavement support, sibling programs and opportunities to spend meaningful time together.
“The goal has been to create an environment that feels welcoming and home-like, while delivering world-class paediatric palliative care,” Lisa said.
Every aspect of Sandcastles has been carefully considered to support the whole family. Alongside specialist clinical spaces, families will be able to access hydrotherapy, sensory and play spaces, comfortable shared living areas and quiet places to spend time together.
The hospice will also help provide continuity of care for families whose involvement with paediatric palliative care may extend over many years.
Child and Adolescent Health Service team visiting Sandcastles (Boodja Mia) Children's Hospice.
A place to live well together
While Sandcastles will provide end-of-life care, this represents only one part of its role.
Families may stay at the hospice for respite, support with complex symptoms or time away from the routines and pressures of caring for a child with significant medical needs. Bereavement services will also continue to support families following the death of a child.
At every stage, care will be guided by the individual needs and wishes of the child and family.
“Sandcastles will provide a purpose-built space where children and families can access specialist care, respite, family support, hydrotherapy, sensory spaces and bereavement services in a setting that feels warm, safe and comforting,” Lisa said.
“I am particularly looking forward to seeing families create precious memories together and benefit from a service designed specifically around their needs.”
As Sandcastles prepares to welcome its first children and families, Lisa believes its impact will extend well beyond the building itself.
“It will be a place focused on dignity, connection, compassion and quality of life,” she said.
“I believe it will have a lasting impact on families across Western Australia.”