palliative-care-academy

Special event asks – are you “ready for it”?

A special drop in event designed to raise awareness of end of life issues while breaking down taboos about death, dying and bereavement takes place next week.

Called “be ready for it”, the event on Friday (17 May) has been organised by the Norfolk and Suffolk Palliative Care Academy and will be held at Ipswich Town Hall between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Open to everyone, it will bring lots of information about end of life care and the support services which are available into one place.

Maggie Parsons, cancer and end of life programme manager, said: “This is a unique event which aims to raise awareness of issues relating to death, dying, bereavement and the services which are available to people as they reach the end of their lives

“Dying well is a natural part of a good life, yet despite this, it is still a huge taboo. We want to break down barriers, change behaviours and encourage people to talk openly with their friends, family and relatives about their wishes towards the end of their life, where they want to die and their hopes for their funeral. We hope that as many people as possible will join us at the event to find out more, join in the conversation and show that they are ‘ready for it’.”

Lots of organisations will be showcasing their services at the event, including Crossroads East Anglia, the Alzheimer’s Society, Suffolk Family Carers, Ipswich Hospital, St Nicholas and St Elizabeth Hospices and Nicky’s Way, which provides bereavement help for children and young people. Anyone who drops in will also be able to get advice on will writing from the Will Shop, while information about donating your organs after your death will also be available.

Eve Richardson, chief executive of the Dying Matters Coalition and the National Council for Palliative Care said: “Every minute someone in England dies, but many people still feel uncomfortable talking about end of life issues. Talking about dying, death and bereavement is in everyone’s interests as it can help ensure that all of us can get the care and support we want, where we want it, at the end of our lives.”

The Norfolk and Suffolk Palliative Care Academy is a group of individuals and organisations who are working together to improve palliative care education and training with the aim of ultimately improving patient care. Set up in 2012, it aims to give patients more choice at the end of their lives, improve the care available, provide more support for carers and increase transferable skills so that staff can deliver care in all areas more effectively.

Earlier in the spring, the academy launched a website at www.learncare.org, which brings a range of learning resources for people working in health and social care into one place.

For more information about the academy, ring 07747 443948 or email [email protected]. Visit www.dyingmatters.org for more information about Dying Matters awareness week.

A similar awareness event will take place on Thursday 16 May 2013 at the Forum in Norwich from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

 

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