Dying Matters: let's talk about it

25 April 2024

That's the message from York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s palliative care nurses who will be spreading awareness of ‘what matters most at the end of life’ during Dying Matters Awareness Week from 6-12 May.

The Palliative Care Nursing Team has organised a range of activities hosted by the Trust, and they are encouraging members of the public to come and talk to the team.

Every year, people around the country use Dying Matters Awareness Week as a moment to encourage all communities to get talking in whatever way, shape, or form works for them. This year the focus is about the language that we use around death and dying.

Caroline Allison, Community Palliative Care Team Leader, 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.

Caroline, who has visited dying patients in their homes since 2003, regards her job as a privilege. Throughout the week she and her palliative care colleagues will encourage everyone to have a chat with who may be important to them.

“Even last night I was sitting on the sofa with my husband, and we were discussing where we would like our ashes left. It’s important to have honest open conversations with those who know you the most so that when the time does come it helps those behind and shatters the taboo of dying. We tend to talk about death when someone famous dies, but it needs to be talked about every day so when the time comes everyone is aware of what matters to you most, whether it be who looks after the family pet for example, or what might happen in the last few days.”

Debbie Bayes, Lead Nurse for Palliative and End-of-Life Care, leads a team of 22 palliative care nurses across the region. She has worked in specialist palliative care for the last 10 years and is encouraging the public to join in conversations not just in dying matters week but all year round.

“What we’d like to start hearing is better language. Death is a fact of life; we all must face and the language we use helps people with their understanding of what happens to them and the people around them. Rather than ‘passed on’, we encourage people to say died or dying. Taking simple steps in our communication and finding the confidence to talk about dying helps the patient clearly understand what is happening to them. We are hoping the public can attend the events as we want to stimulate an open culture about dying. Anyone is welcome to come. We are also encouraging our staff to attend too as they deal with bereavement and grief as part of their daily work life.”

A series of end-of-life-themed events have been organised by the team. They will take place at Trust sites right across North Yorkshire, and all are open to the public.

The Trust's Chaplaincy Service, Bereavement Services, and art therapists will also be taking part.

People will be able to talk about end-of-life care and find out how the Trust cares for dying patients and the people important to them.

York Hospital

Tuesday 7 May, Thursday 9 May, and Friday 10 May, in the Bereavement Suite. 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday 8 May in the The Hub near Ellerby’s, also 1pm - 3 pm

Scarborough Hospital RVS Café

Tuesday 14 May, 11am - 12 pm, and Thursday 16 May 2 pm - 3 pm

Nelsons Court, York

Tuesday 7 May to Friday 10 May: a stand in the main entrance area with information
Wednesday 8 May, 2pm - 3pm and Friday 10 May, 1pm - 3pm: a palliative care nurse specialist will be available to talk to