A much needed child hospice has opened in Baltimore today.

July 25, 2011 - Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Baltimore

Dr. Bob’s Place opened its new inpatient hospice facility near downtown at 838 N. Eutaw Street. The facility will serve children 18 and under with life limiting illness. The facility has private rooms where parents can stay the night.

Dr. Bob's Place becomes the second hospice in the state to serve children. Gilchrist Kids, a division of Gilchrist Hospice in Towson, began serving kids last year.

Dr. Bob's Place began its home-based services in March.

Children are often underserved in the hospice community. Most die in intensive-care units at hospitals or in emergency rooms, where the focus is on treatment rather than comfort and quality of life.

Only about 10 to 20 percent of dying children recieve hospice care, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Research has shown it can be more costly and complicated to care for dying children. Insurance rules have also made it difficult for children to qualify for hospice coverage.

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Andrea Walker@The Baltimore Sun

http://www.drbobsplace.org/