Meet the new members of our Steering Committee

As of January 2025, three passionate professionals have joined our Steering Committee for the EAPC Reference Group for Children and Young People, each bringing valuable expertise and a shared commitment to advancing paediatric palliative care. They introduce themselves below.

Dr. Emily Harrop – A vision for research and equity

Hello, my name is Dr. Emily Harrop, and I am excited to join the Steering Committee of the Children and Young People’s Reference Group within the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC).

I am the Medical Director of Helen & Douglas House, the world’s first children’s hospice, and I take great pride in continuing its legacy of innovation in care for children with life-limiting conditions. In addition, I work as a Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Care at Oxford University Hospitals, where I am also an active member of the ethics committee. My specialist training took place at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and my research background includes a PhD in the neuroscience of infant pain. Currently, I co-chair the joint research group for the Association for Paediatric Palliative Medicine (APPM) and Together for Short Lives (TfSL).

I have a strong passion for equity in care, ensuring that children receive appropriate services regardless of age, diagnosis, location, or region. I also believe in breaking down barriers to international research collaboration, creating guidelines in multiple languages, and making education easily accessible and free of charge for healthcare professionals across Europe.

I joined this reference group because I see the EAPC as a key driver in improving collaboration and research in pediatric palliative care. Through my work in guideline development for both NICE (UK) and WHO, I have seen the urgent need for more research in our field, and I am committed to helping drive this forward.

Collaboration is an opportunity. The EAPC provides a wonderful platform for sharing ideas and creating momentum to improve the experiences of children with life-limiting illnesses. I’m excited to be part of this journey!

Dr. Jennifer Brandt – Integrating palliative care in intensive care

My name is Dr. Jennifer Brandt, and I am a paediatric intensive care physician with a Master’s degree in Paediatric Palliative Care. I work in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the University Hospital in Vienna, where I have witnessed how many children spend their final moments in intensive care. While we cannot always change the outcome, we can profoundly shape how families experience these moments—how we accompany them, how we create a meaningful space for them, and how we support siblings and loved ones in their grief.

I strongly believe that pediatric palliative care should not be an afterthought but an integral part of care from the moment a serious condition is diagnosed. My goal is to foster a culture where palliative care is not seen as giving up but as ensuring the best possible quality of life for children and their families, no matter the prognosis.

To make this vision a reality, I am currently establishing an in-hospital paediatric palliative care team at the University Hospital in Vienna. Additionally, I am gaining experience in adult palliative care, which reinforces my belief that early integration of palliative care makes a profound difference in patient and family experiences.

I joined this reference group because I believe in the power of shared expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration. Paediatric palliative care is shaped by many medical specialties, and as a PICU physician, I accompany families through some of the most critical moments of their lives. Strengthening the connections between intensive care and palliative care is essential for improving care for children with life-limiting conditions.

"Pedaiatric palliative care is not just about end-of-life care—it is about ensuring comfort, dignity, and support throughout a child’s illness. Even in a high-tech, intensive care environment, we must create a space where children are not just patients but children, where families are included, and where their emotional needs are valued."

Dr. Laure Dombrecht – Strengthening support for families and healthcare providers

I’m Dr. Laure Dombrecht, a postdoctoral researcher with a background in psychology, focusing on perinatal and paediatric palliative care research. I am part of the End-of-Life Care Research Group at Ghent University and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium.

I have a deep personal and professional commitment to enhancing support for families of children with a life-limiting diagnosis, as well as providing better support for healthcare providers working in this field.

I joined this reference group because I firmly believe in the power of multidisciplinary collaboration. Learning from the experiences and policies of other countries allows us to have a greater impact on both policy and practice. I see a strong connection between pediatric and perinatal healthcare professionals and palliative care specialists. On one hand, pediatric healthcare professionals need specialist palliative care skills, while on the other hand, palliative care professionals must understand the unique challenges and approaches required in paediatric care.

"By fostering collaboration and mutual learning, we can create real impact in paediatric palliative care. I look forward to contributing and growing within this group!"

A shared commitment to advancing paediatric palliative care

The EAPC Reference Group for Children and Young People is proud to welcome Dr. Emily Harrop, Dr. Jennifer Brandt, and Dr. Laure Dombrecht. Their combined expertise in clinical care, research, ethics, and policy development will be invaluable in improving access, quality, and understanding of paediatric palliative care across Europe.