Promoting independence for children on long-term ventilation

Sue Lawrence discusses the challenges faced by individuals, families and carers and looks at the preparation needed for one young person’s trip to France

It is the responsibility of children’s nurses to enable children and young people who are on long-term ventilation (LTV) to live independent and varied lives. This article considers the common challenges faced by such children and reflects on personal experience in planning and undertaking a respite week for a young person on LTV with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy without his parents.