Supportive Care for Children

We are here to help any child with a serious, complex or life-threatening illness – at any stage of their condition. Supportive care is provided during the recovery process for children living with chronic illness or if there is uncertainty about recovery. It is not necessary to stop any ongoing medical treatment in order to receive our supportive services.

Our team is specially trained and experienced in helping kids dealing with a wide range of medical problems, including cancer, neurological diseases, heart disease, lung disease or other complex conditions.

Every young patient can take advantage of our pediatric support services, according to the will and consent of the family.

Supportive care is provided 24/7 as an integral part of the medical services provided to patients dealing with serious illness. Our services are designed to help with:

• Pain relief
• Alleviating disturbing symptoms and side effects
• Promoting active life at every stage of the disease
• Enhancing quality of life for every patient, even those who are unlikely to recover from their illness
• Coping with terminal illness and end-of-life support; help and support groups are provided for both the child and their family
• Guidance for setting up palliative care at home, if parents are interested; a personalized, professional guidance package is provided in cooperation with local community care organizations or with a home hospice

The Marion and Elie Wiesel Children’s Pavilion

The Marion and Elie Wiesel Children’s Pavilion (Beit Wiesel) is the newest addition to the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Department. It is a magical, one-of-a-kind supportive center where hospitalized children can receive integrative treatments in a soothing and pleasant atmosphere.

The Wiesel Pavilion hospice is located adjacent to the Safra Children’s Hospital on Sheba’s campus, designed as a center for daily activities, as well as a peaceful retreat for families that need a longer stay. Compassionate multidisciplinary care is given at all stages of disease, from diagnosis to recovery. The staff includes about 16 senior physicians, skilled nurses and a range of specialized therapists.

Three types of inpatient beds are offered:

1. For providing active treatment for the disease
2. For balancing severe symptoms while undergoing treatment for the disease
3. For supportive end-of-life care, when the family must choose hospitalization over home care

When support is needed for children suffering from terminal illness, the continuum of care is maintained between the hospital, community and home care providers. Our team members also accompany the family through the bereavement process.

The proximity of the Wiesel Pavilion to the children’s hospital allows for a mental “disconnect” from the clinical atmosphere, while remaining close enough to provide optimal medical responses, when necessary. The interior is split into four units, built as fully furnished apartments with a private bed for the patient and a living area that has a kitchenette, bathroom, parents’ corner, computer, TV and a balcony overlooking a charming garden, courtyard and fountain. Families also have access to the main leisure and game room, cinema, music room and fully stocked library. Both the design of the entire facility and the staff envelop the patient with coziness and love.

Our service is based within the pediatric hemato-oncology division and expands to offer personalized counseling services to other hospital units where children cope with other complex diseases. The custom designed team comprises physicians, clinical specialist nurses, complementary medicine therapists, communication therapists, educational staff, dietitian and a diverse psychosocial team – social worker, psychologist, emotional therapist and art therapist. Pediatric experts from various departments, such as the Radiation Institute, Pain Institute and Anesthesia Unit, are consulted on a regular basis to help empower the support staff with solutions to any complex issue that may arise.