NCL initiative on end of life care, 15-21 March
Dying Matters is the message from 15 – 21 MarchHealth professionals across North Central London are being encouraged to think about death and end of life care from 15 – 21 March to mark Dying Matters Week.
The initiative aims to promote the need for discussion amongst all members of the community about death, dying and peoples’ wishes during that time.
North Central London End of Life Care Collaborative Commissioning Lead Mireille Hayden said many people still thought of death and dying as a ‘taboo’ subject but she hoped Dying Matters Week would open up dialogue on the subject amongst the community.
“We know from research that while 70 per cent of people say they would rather die at home, 60 per cent of people still die in hospital and only one third of the population has discussed their end of life care with someone,” she said.
“We’ve engaged a coalition of organisations across North Central London involved in health and social care to encourage professionals to speak to patients, family and others in the community to spread the message that it is important to talk about death.
“Many members of the North Central London coalition are supporting the awareness campaign by hosting information sessions, visiting care homes and hospices and promoting awareness within their organisations.”
Mrs Hayden said there was no right or wrong way to discuss end of life care, it is just necessary that people have that discussion.
“Every person will have a different way of discussing death and dying, it is just necessary to have that discussion.” she said.
“We are just asking that people make sure that those closest to them know their end of life wishes when that time comes.”
The Dying Matters nation-wide campaign is being coordinated by the National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC) via the Dying Matters Coalition which has just under 7,000 members, including organisations from across the NHS and voluntary and independent health and care sectors.
The Dying Matters Coalition’s role is to support changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards dying, death and bereavement.
For more information on Dying Matters Week, visit www.dyingmatters.org or to join the North Central London Dying Matters Coalition, contact Mireille Hayden, Mireille.Hayden@barnet.nhs.uk
Last updated04 Mar 2010