Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

It is a type of specialised care delivered by trained professionals, including medical and allied health practitioners such as counsellors and therapists. The objective is to improve the quality of life for children who are suffering from life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.

We admit children and minors up to 19 years of age, with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. Children with life-threatening conditions may be critically ill, but have a reasonable chance of getting well. On the other hand, children afflicted with life-limiting conditions are unlikely to reach adulthood.

Admission to the Star PALS service is strictly by referral and subject to needs assessment. Please download the referral form and assessment form to be submitted.

Palliative care is best described as supportive care for the child, regardless of the chances of a cure/remission or whether he or she is actively receiving treatment. It starts with the diagnosis of a serious condition and may extend to hospice care. Hospice care traditionally refers to end-of-life care.

Our multidisciplinary team brings a wide range of medical and social services to children and their families at home. Here is a non-exhaustive list of positive outcomes we seek to deliver:

• Manage symptoms of discomfort caused by the illness
• Aid each child’s gradual transition back to school during the period of treatment
• Reduce the need for frequent visits to the hospital
• Ensure that primary caregivers have the requisite skills and knowledge to look after the child at home
• Provide emotional support for the caregivers
• Facilitate arrangements for equipment loan and/or financial assistance
• Providing respite for our caregivers from the demands of 24/7 care through the service of our Medi-Minders

HCA is a registered charity that does not charge for all our services, including the Star PALS service.

We would very much encourage that. Star PALS believes that every healthcare worker in the network of care can improve a child’s quality of life. Through active collaboration, we seek to work out a suitable model of care for each family based on their needs.

We will contact you as soon as we receive the referral from your specialist. After which, visits will be conducted fortnightly (on average), depending on the child’s condition. The timing of these regular home visits can be arranged in accordance to each family’s convenience and our team’s availability.

Star PALS can coordinate with the school authorities to meet the child at his/her school. This is subject to our team’s assessment of the situation and their availability.

When the child’s condition has stabilised and the caregivers are confident of meeting his/her needs on their own, we will discharge the child temporarily from our service. Should our services be needed again, your child can be referred back to us through his or her primary healthcare providers.