The last two years of the pandemic have shown us that things can happen very fast. Illness can take hold and you may not get much time to talk to a loved one about what they want to happen at the end of their life. So often, families don't know what their loved ones wishes are - where they want to be when they die, wills, organ donation, funeral arrangements, religious and cultural needs, etc. Having conversations in advance is not morbid or insensitive, it a chance to set your affairs in order and can guide a family at a difficult time and bring comfort.
Staff are hosting information stalls at Trust sites across the Trust. Pop along if you want to talk to someone about end of life care. See below for blogs sharing personal accounts of end of life care and bereavement.
ROADSHOWS
Tuesday 3 May
Bassett Road Health Clinic, Leighton Buzzard. 14.00-15.00
Queensborough House, Dunstable. 15.30-16.30
Newby Place Health Centre, Tower Hamlets. 13.30 - 15.00
Wednesday 4 May
Ampthill Health Centre, Central Beds. 11:00 - 12:00
Mile End Hospital, main corridor. 9.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.00
Thursday 5 May
John Bunyan House, Bedford. 14:00 - 15:00
Beaumont House, Mile End Hospital. 13.30 - 15.00
Friday 6 May
Shefford Health Centre, 14:30 - 15:30
More dates to be added for other sites
Personal Stories
Ode to Rachael - How to Support a Bereaved Colleague >>
In this blog, Bedfordshire colleague Karen Simpson shares her story about the difficult days surrounding the loss of her daughter Rachael, how hard it was to keep going during lockdown and useful ways that staff can support a workmate following a bereavement.
Supporting Dennis in Life and Death >>
Dennis had a diagnosis of a learning disability and was 91 years when he died in August 2021. His carers have kindly shared their experiences of his death and how everyone came together to carry out his wishes to keep him in surroundings familiar to him and with people he knew. This account highlights the importance of talking about end of life care to everyone.
Reflection of Deaths During the Pandemic >>
In this blog, Community Palliative Care Nurse Judith Dimmock shares a personal account of working through the pandemic while dealing with personal grief. She compares the experience and comfort her family derived from carrying out her mum's end of life wishes, with the sudden unexpected death of her brother-in-law which left the family flailing. It brought home to her how talking about your end of life wishes helps a family cope and brings them comfort.
Thank you to all our writers who kindly shared these moving personal accounts.