Solomon Center nears draft of 70-page pediatric palliative care white paper; council offered early review

Wendy, a researcher with the Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy, told the Connecticut Palliative Care Council that the pediatric palliative care white paper the center has been preparing has expanded from a projected 30 pages to about 70 pages and that a full draft should be available next week or the week after.

The white paper focuses on pediatric palliative care in Connecticut and was produced with input from the Pediatric Hospice Task Force. "We have 70 pages," Wendy said, adding that the team continued to receive new material that expanded the draft. She offered to share the draft with council members for review before publication.

Council members discussed ways to help distribute the paper once published. Barbara from the Department of Public Health said DPH could help with outreach: she suggested checking whether the report fits a new communications role at DPH and offering to post it on DPH channels. "If this comports with the work that she's doing, and maybe at that end, there could be something that is done that will help support messaging," Barb said.

Tracy recommended a webinar or other high-level rollout to give hospice and palliative providers an executive-summary view of the paper. Council members offered to host separate outreach to hospital-based and home/community providers and to coordinate with DPH on timing.

The Solomon Center said it would share the draft with council staff (Melia Allen was cited as a point of contact) and welcomed feedback from interested stakeholders before final publication.

The council agreed to assist with dissemination planning and to consider a webinar and DPH-based posting once the Solomon Center issues the draft.

The report, its planned distribution, and a potential webinar were scheduled for follow-up outside the meeting.