Manual handling the deceased child in a children's hospice

The introduction of the Manual Handling Operation Regulations 1992 has forced organizations to review all manual handling carried out in the work-place. Safe manual handling is now a legislative requirement to enable the workforce to carry out their jobs in a safe and structured environment. This project looked in detail at the manual handling that was being carried out when caring for a child after they have died. It was undertaken at CHASE Children's Hospice in the period up until December 2002, with a telephone survey investigating practice at six other children's hospices. It aimed to identify incorrect procedures and, by applying the theory of ergonomics, identify changes that needed to occur in practice, making recommendations for environmental changes. The study led to the production of a policy for handling the children, devising child-specific handling guidelines, reducing the number of times the children are moved after they have died and providing appropriate equipment.