South Essex Partnership University NHS Trust calls on community to talk about dying

South Essex Partnership University NHS Trust (SEPT) is holding a remembrance event from 2-5pm on Wednesday 15 May at St Margaret’s Hospital, The Plain, Epping to help people to talk about dying and access resources to help them plan for it. The event is part of the Dying Matters Awareness Week (13-19 May 2013), which has been organised by the Dying Matters Coalition to encourage people to talk openly about dying, death and bereavement.

The theme of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2013 is ‘Be ready for it’, an action-focused call to action aimed at encouraging members of the public to take five simple steps to make their end of life experience better, both for them and for their loved ones.

The five steps are: 1. Make a will • 2. Record your funeral wishes • 3. Plan your future care and support • 4. Register as an organ donor  • 5. Tell your loved ones your wishes

The remembrance event which is collaboration between SEPT, West Essex CCG, St Clare Hospice, Princess Alexandra Hospital and social care partners is being held in the memorial garden at St Margaret’s Hospital. It will give people the opportunity to write a message in memory of someone they have lost and include it on our remembrance wall.  Information stands will also be available for people to find out about Hospice care in the area, writing a will, planning for a funeral and how to become an organ donor. There will also be copies of ‘my funeral wishes’ available; a step by step guide to planning for your funeral and easing the burden for your loved ones.

Tracy Reed, SEPT’s Facilitator for End of Life Care Says “Death is still a taboo which is why we are encouraging people to talk about their wishes towards the end of their lives. This includes where they want to die and their funeral plans. People should discuss their wishes with friends, family and loved ones. Our aim is to make a ‘good death’ the norm. Talking about dying makes it more likely that you, or your loved one, will die as you might have wished and make it easier for loved ones”.

SEPT is one of 30,000 members of the national Dying Matters Coalition, all of whom have an interest in supporting the changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards dying, death and bereavement.

ENDS