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The objectives of this review were to identify strategies initiated by parents of children with life-limiting conditions to support their own well-being at home and to describe the impact of these strategies on parental well-being. A systematic scoping review was performed using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identifying 15 relevant studies that fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were no studies that specifically assessed how parents support their own well-being; however, the 15 identified studies did provide pertinent data secondary to the primary aims of each study. This resulted in the identification of 14 parent-initiated strategies which were grouped thematically into 4 categories: (i) social experience and peer support, (ii) information and management techniques, (iii) reframed perspectives and (iv) prioritising own needs. Overall, there was some evidence of parents initiating specific, individualised and useful strategies to supporting their well-being. Notably lacking was any empirical evaluation as to the effectiveness of these strategies and the wider factors associated with them. Further research is required to assess how parents support their personal well-being in daily life and how these strategies can be implemented alongside service-initiated support to ensure full parental well-being.

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BackgroundLimited knowledge exists of parents’ perceptions and experiences of children’s hospices and how these contribute to the varied access and uptake of services.AimThis study aimed to explore parents’ perspectives and experiences of a hospice, to understand the barriers and/or facilitators to accessing a hospice, and what characteristics parents wanted from hospice provision.MethodsA two-phase qualitative study underpinned by a constructivist grounded theory methodology was employed. Phase 1 used focus groups to collect data from parents of children already accessing the hospice (n=24). Phase 2 used in-depth semistructured interviews with parents of children who did not use the hospice (n=7) and with parents who had previous experience of using a hospice (n=7).ResultsA grounded theory of place bonding was developed which illustrates the cognitive journey taken by parents of children with life-limiting conditions considering/receiving hospice care for their child.ConclusionsFinding a place where they belonged and felt at ‘home’ made the decision to accept help in caring for their child with a life-limiting condition more acceptable. The theory of place bonding offers children’s hospices a new perspective from which to view how parents access, accept and build relationships at the hospice.

Nut allergy, in particular peanut allergy, is becoming more common in children. Immune sensitisation to nuts appears to be occurring earlier in life. High incidence of other allergic diseases in children with nut allergy. Onset of anaphylactic symptoms is quick but symptoms last for a short time. Necessity for hospital admission due to severity of allergic reaction is low.