Dying Matters Awareness Week: starting conversations at Scarborough Hospital
Let’s start talking about death and dying - that's the message from Scarborough Hospital’s specialist Palliative Care Team, who will be starting conversations with colleagues and families during national Dying Matters Awareness Week, which runs from now to May 10.
Every year, people around the country use Dying Matters Awareness Week as a moment to encourage open conversations and challenge stigma.
At Scarborough Hospital, which is part of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, palliative care nurses are helping others to feel more confident talking about end-of-life care with colleagues and patients.
On Thursday May 7, the team will be hosting an information stand opposite Pat’s Place, the hospital’s restaurant.
There will be leaflets and posters sharing practical advice and signposts to support.
Between 11am and 1pm, members of the Palliative Care Team will be there too.
Go along to find out more, have a chat with the team about the end of life and share your stories.
The Team Leader for the Palliative Care Team based at Scarborough Hospital, Gemma Anderson, is trying to encourage an open culture of honest communication about a subject that is often seen as too raw or taboo to talk about.
She said: “Starting a conversation about death can feel frightening or intimidating but doesn’t have to be.
"Often it begins with listening and giving someone permission to talk.
"A conversation with a patient nearing the end of life might begin by asking a gentle question like, ‘How are you feeling about what’s ahead?’ or ‘Have you thought about what matters most to you right now?’
“As a palliative care team, we see how powerful it can be when people feel able to speak openly about their worries, their wishes and their fears.
"Using clear, honest words helps build trust and takes away some of the uncertainty.
“These conversations can feel uncomfortable at first, but silence can be harder.
"We can start these conversations with our loved ones now and share our thoughts and feelings with those around us, about what we want when the time comes.”
Palliative care is care and support for people who are living with a serious or terminal illness.
It focuses on helping people feel as comfortable and supported as possible by managing pain and other symptoms, and by supporting their emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Dying Matters Awareness Week is a national campaign run by the charity Hospice UK.