​​About PPC Lab Copenhagen
The laboratory was established in 2025 by clinicians and researchers with a shared commitment to improving care for children and young people with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and their families.

We currently lead and contribute to a growing portfolio of research projects, including three PhD projects, and participate in national and international research collaborations.

Our vision is to generate knowledge that makes a meaningful difference in everyday life – for children and young people, their families, and the healthcare professionals who support them.

Contact

• Thomas Nørrelykke Nissen, MD, PhD
• Maja Abitz
• Alexandra Calmer Bungum
• Maria Stiholt Otto
• Ditte Marie Langvad
• My Hjernø
• Sofie Pærregaard
• Line Dyrgaard
• Desirée Anastasia Pi Risum​
  
  

Projects

PALLIAKID

PALLIAKID is an international research project aiming to develop new digital solutions in paediatric palliative care.

The project focuses on the early identification of palliative care needs, improved assessment of the needs of children, young people and their families, and strengthened communication between families and healthcare professionals.

PABU and PPC LAB COPENHAGEN have been part of the project since 2023.

The project focuses on three main areas:

Early identification

The project aims to improve the early identification of children and young people with complex palliative care needs.

This includes the development of a prediction model that can differentiate patients according to their level of complexity and support timely access to comprehensive palliative care.

Comprehensive needs assessment

PALLIAKID aims to strengthen the assessment of the needs of children, young people and their families through validated and structured assessment tools.

These tools are designed to support dialogue and collaboration between families and the wider healthcare team.

Individualised care planning

The project also focuses on individualised care planning, including conversations with patients and families about preferences and wishes for future care and treatment, often referred to as advance care planning.

As part of the project, a digital patient journey platform is being developed to support patient and family involvement and strengthen shared decision-making between patients, families and healthcare professionals.

The project aims to:

• Strengthen the involvement of children, young people and families in palliative care.
• Improve coordination and competencies across healthcare sectors and support more coherent care pathways.
• Promote equitable access to digital tools developed in collaboration with patients and families.
• Develop professional recommendations for paediatric palliative care.
• Support the early identification of children and young people who may benefit from paediatric palliative care.

HOME-C2P2

HOME-C2P2 is a European research project funded by Horizon Europe.

The project is developing and testing a model for home monitoring of children and young people with chronic complex conditions and/or palliative care needs across healthcare systems in Denmark and Spain.

The study investigates whether structured home monitoring is feasible, acceptable and safe, and whether it can contribute to:

• Earlier detection of clinical deterioration.
• Increased feelings of safety and reassurance among children, young people and their families.
• Fewer unplanned contacts with healthcare services.

The HOME-C2P2 feasibility study is expected to include a total of 40 patients across the two clinical sites in Denmark and Spain, including 15 patients in Denmark at Rigshospitalet in the Capital Region of Denmark.

HOPE4KIDS

HOPE4KIDS – Holistic Oncologic Palliative Care for Europe's Kids – is a European collaborative initiative working to strengthen and harmonise paediatric palliative care across Europe for children living with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.

More than 70 organisations from 23 European countries are collaborating in the four-year project to develop and promote personalised care that responds to the needs of children and their families.

Access to specialised paediatric palliative care remains uneven across Europe, and palliative care is often introduced too late or insufficiently integrated into routine paediatric services. As a result, children, families and informal caregivers may experience fragmented and unequal access to care.

HOPE4KIDS addresses these challenges through a comprehensive and coordinated European approach.

Key activities and expected outcomes include:

• Mapping paediatric palliative care systems across Europe.
• Developing harmonised, evidence-based guidelines for paediatric palliative care.
• Implementing and evaluating four pilot interventions across more than 17 study sites.
• Developing education and training programmes for healthcare professionals, parents and informal caregivers, including teachers.
• Establishing a European network of professionals working in paediatric palliative care.
• Collaborating with other European research initiatives.

The HOPE4KIDS project runs for four years and is coordinated by the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in the Netherlands.

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