End of Life and Palliative Care team mark Dying Matters Week

The Trust's Palliative Care and End of Life team are marking Dying Matters Week between Monday 6 May and Sunday 12 May by holding a series of events to raise awareness around the importance of having timely conversations about death and dying.

The team work across the hospital and community, bringing together health, social and voluntary care professionals to care for our patient’s physical health as well as providing psychosocial and spiritual support.

They provide personalised care to hundreds of patients and families in our area each year, including working with health and social care teams from collaborative providers including Prospect Hospice.

Our team are sharing more about their work, and the importance of having honest conversations about death and dying, across the local community during Dying Matters Week:

·       Tuesday 7 May, Great Western Hospital, Atrium, 10am – 2pm

·       Wednesday 8 May, Asda, Orbital, 10am – 2pm

·       Thursday 9 May, Prospect Hospice, Shaw Ridge, 10am – 2pm

·       Friday 10 May, Tesco Extra, Ocotal Way, 10am – 2pm

Praising our care

To mark Dying Matters Week, Rosie has chosen to thank our Swindon End of Life Care Team as she remembers her nan, Janet.

Janet died last year, and Rosie contacted us to thank the team for the care they provided.

She said: “My nan, for our family, was the best person ever.

"The team looked after her personal care and checked she’d eaten, but also discussed concerns with us as a family as well as with my nan. My nan was delighted when she used to see their faces, even though she was frightened at the time.

"Being honest about death is the best thing we can all do, and we need to have conversations about death more. The team really handled this in the right way when caring for my nan.

"It can be hard to know that you are doing the right thing when someone you love is passing away, but the team gave us plenty of reassurance.

“I’m forever grateful to the team and thank them for the kindness extended to me and my family during a hard time."

Find out more

Read more about the Trust's End of Life and Palliative Care services on the dedicated webpage: End of Life and Palliative Care | Great Western Hospital (gwh.nhs.uk)