Volunteer activity in specialist paediatric palliative care: a national survey.

Objective: To assess the involvement of volunteers with direct patient/family contact in UK palliative care services for children and young people.

Method: Cross-sectional survey using a web-based questionnaire.

Setting: UK specialist paediatric palliative care services.

Volunteers in specialist palliative care: a survey of adult services in the United Kingdom.

Background: Worldwide, the demand for specialist palliative care is increasing but funding is limited. The role of volunteers is underresearched, although their contribution reduces costs significantly. Understanding what volunteers do is vital to ensure services develop appropriately to meet the challenges faced by providers of palliative care.