Martin House Children’s Hospice is bringing healthcare professionals together from across the country for its first dedicated conference on children’s palliative care.

The Martin House Children’s Hospice Conference 2026: Inspiring Excellence will take place at the charity’s newly redeveloped hospice in Boston Spa on Tuesday 15 September, from 10am to 4pm.

Hosted by the new Martin House Education Centre, the event will share specialist knowledge with professionals supporting children with life-shortening conditions in hospitals, community services, GP practices, ambulance services and other care settings.

Martin House supports more than 550 children and young people across West, North and East Yorkshire each year, providing specialist care at its hospice, in hospitals and in families’ own homes. Its services range from planned stays and symptom management to emergency support, end-of-life care and bereavement services.

The conference will help professionals better understand children’s palliative care, challenge common misconceptions about children’s hospices and provide practical advice they can use in their own roles.

Charlotte Walker, Deputy Director of Clinical Services at Martin House, said: “Children’s palliative care is about helping babies, children and young people live as fully and comfortably as possible, while supporting their whole family."

“Children with life-shortening conditions may receive care in many different places, not only in a hospice. By sharing the expertise developed at Martin House, we can help more professionals feel confident supporting children and families wherever they encounter them.”

Dr Michelle Hills, Chief Medical Officer and Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine at Martin House, will lead a session with the hospice's Clinical Nurse Specialists exploring real-life cases and breaking down myths around specialist palliative care.

Practice Educators Jen Knell and Mandy Thorpe will also introduce delegates to specialist palliative care at Martin House and in the wider community.

The day will also include a panel discussion with the Martin House team, interactive workshops and opportunities for professionals to learn from one another.

Afternoon sessions will cover:
Building confidence in care after death through simulation training
When and how to refer a child or family to a children’s hospice
A guided tour of Martin House, including its new hydrotherapy pool and sensory spaces
Delegates will also be able to attend a signing of Dr Hills’ new book, The Wrong Order of Things, during the networking lunch.

Jen Knell said: “Many people associate children’s hospices only with end-of-life care, but Martin House supports children and families in many different ways and often over a number of years."

“We hope the conference will help professionals understand the support available, recognise when a family may benefit from being referred and take practical learning back into their own workplaces.”

Tickets cost £20, including lunch, and must be booked in advance through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/martin-house-childrens-hospice-conference-2026-inspiring-excellence-tickets-1994228719784?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

For further information about Martin House Children’s Hospice and its Education Centre, visit: https://www.martinhouse.org.uk/