A paediatrician from the Czech Republic has travelled more than 1,000 miles to Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley to study how the UK health system cares for its sickest children.
Elsa Kleinert, of Prague, works at a government-run care centre for children with complex needs based in Chocerady (Dětské centrum Chocerady).
She travelled to the UK last week to see how children’s hospices work, and to take home learning to help care for children with complex needs.
Elsa’s fact-finding trip was funded by Nadace Rodiny Vlčkových – a charitable foundation that is working towards improving the level of pediatric palliative care in the Czech Republic, with plans to open a children’s hospice in Prague in 2026.
Derian House was Elsa’s first stop on her tour of three UK children’s hospices.
“Derian House proves that the place where you deal with loss can also be full of joy, safety and humour,” said Elsa, who stayed in Adlington during her visit to the hospice.
“At Derian House, dignity and humanity do not take place only in grand gestures, but in everyday details – in the tone of voice, in a cup of coffee or sweet treat offered, in singing in the corridor. The whole team, from nurses to management, is willing to share, show, and explain – all with a smile. It is clear that parents feel comfortable to turn to anyone here with confidence.
“I was very impressed by the private mini cinema, the hydrotherapy pool, the sensory room, and the huge garden and playground. I loved the counselling pods hidden in the gardens so that families can have their difficult conversations in a peaceful setting.
“One thing I found particularly inspiring is the support the hospice receives from the local community. Everyone knows about Derian House and what it does, and they all get behind the hospice by raising vital funds and by sharing its stories. I think that is something I would like to take back with me.
“There are some similarities to the care we provide back home and some differences. At Dětské centrum Chocerady, we care for children from birth to the age of 18. We do all kinds of art therapy, including music therapy and sensory theatre. But there are still things that we could add to the experiences for the children.
“I am so grateful to have been able to visit Derian House, and also for the fact that we are closer every day to having it the same way in the Czech Republic.”
One significant difference between the two centres is that Dětské centrum Chocerady was founded and is funded by the regional authority of the Central Bohemian Region in the Czech Republic.
Care at Derian House Children’s Hospice is free for families, but the hospice receives very little funding from the UK government, meaning the charity has to find 70p in every £1 to keep its doors open each year.
“I am very grateful to Nadace Rodiny Vlčkových who provided me with a grant for my trip,” continued Elsa.
“I have plenty of learning to take home with me so that we can continue improving care for families with seriously ill children in the Czech Republic.”
Catherine Randall, Chief Nurse at Derian House, said: “It was an honour to welcome Elsa into the hospice and to be able to show the work we do here at Derian House. We hope she has taken some valuable learning from her visit.
“It’s wonderful to see the spirit of compassion and care extending across borders, and we look forward to supporting their mission to provide comfort and care to children and their families.”
Derian House, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 seriously ill babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West helping them to make the most of every moment.
