Complementary therapies for children
Most complementary therapies are quite safe when used with children but special precautions must be taken. For example some aromatherapy oils are not safe to use with small children.
Within the children's hospice, most of the care team have been 
trained to use complementary therapies as part of their day to day role. This works very well because treatment can be administered at a time of day most suitable for the child's routine rather than have to work around an appointment system.
The children who access the children's hospice build up close relationships with the staff and tend to feel more comfortable receiving treatment this way.
An important part of the service we offer within the children's hospice, is the training and support we give to families and carers, enabling them to give their child a massage at home. This benefits the whole family, providing quality time and a rewarding experience for the the child and the care giver.
Who provides the treatment?
A range of complementary therapists offer treatment and the practitioner the patient sees will depend on the type of therapy used and which day they attend for appointments
All of the practitioners working within the hospice hold a qualification to at least diploma level in their relevant therapy. As well as this all practitioners undergo a specialised training programme to enable them to offer care to people with life threatening illnesses.
Sometimes practitioners have students assigned to them. These students already have a diploma in their chosen therapy and are studying for a degree in complementary therapies, or are undergoing the specialist palliative care training.
In the in-patient unit and children's hospice some of the treatments are administered by nurses or other members of the care team who have had special training to enable them to administer treatments just within the hospice.
This is important to allow us to reduce the time patients will wait for treatment. For example if a patient cannot sleep, they may be able to receive a foot or hand massage to relax them immediately rather than having to wait for the aromatherapist to come in the next day.
If you would like to help us provide these very beneficial treatments to our young patients click on the Donate Now button at the top of the page or go to our fundraising or volunteering pages for information on the many ways you can help provide care for life limited children and their families.
Training and Education Opportunities
A number of courses and training opportunities are available throughout the year including:
- Specialist palliative training for complementary therapists
- Introduction to aromatherapy and aromatherapy workshops for nurses and professional carers
- Aromatherapy for children with special needs (4 day course for qualified aromatherapists)
- Reflective practice for complementary therapists
- Managing people with cancer
- Living with cancer - a holistic perspective (for people with cancer and their partners)
- Holistic pain management
- Relaxation workshops
For more information about complementary therapies you can contact Gwyn Featonby, Head of Complementary Therapies at Butterwick Hospice. Tel: 01642 607742 or email gwynfeatonby@butterwick.org.uk
