Many people do not feel comfortable talking about dying, but a conversation around end of life issues should be encouraged – that’s the message from the Macmillan Palliative care nurses at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, who supported Dying Matters Awareness Week (9-15 May).
The theme of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2016 – the ‘Big Conversation’, encourages an open conversation on the subject to help people make the most of life and to help support loved ones in the future.
Research for Dying Matters has found that many people have specific wishes about their end of life care, or what they would like to happen to them after their death, but a reluctance to discuss these issues makes it much less likely that these will be met.
Throughout Dying Matters Awareness Week, the hospital’s team of dedicated nurses were busy handing out information and talking to visitors, patients and staff to help raise awareness for end of life issues.
Elaine Edwards, Macmillan lead nurse for palliative and end of life care, said: “It remains a sad fact that some people will come into hospital and never leave and it may not have even crossed their mind that this would happen. With an ageing population and people living for longer with life limiting illnesses, discussing dying is increasingly important. If you don’t talk to your loved ones about their wishes you may risk leaving it too late.”
Further information is available at www.dyingmatters.org
