Dying Matters: let’s talk about it

Dying Matters: let’s talk about it

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.

This year the focus is about the language that we use around death and dying.

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 Chaplaincy Service, Bereavement Services, and art therapists will all be taking part. People will be available to talk about end-of-life care and find out about how the Trust cares for dying patients, and the people who are important to them.

During Dying Matters Awareness Week events planned are listed below:

York Hospital on Tuesday 7 May, Thursday 9 May, and Friday 10 May, in the Bereavement Suite. 1 – 3 pm each day and on Wednesday 8 May in the The Hub near Ellerby’s, also 1 – 3 pm.

Scarborough Hospital RVS Café, main entrance, ground floor on Tuesday 14 May, 11 – 12 pm, and Thursday 16 May 2 – 3 pm. Come and talk to staff from palliative care (CNSs), Chaplaincy, and the Bereavement Service. Visitors can have a chat, access information, and ask any questions that they have. There will be supporting information in the form of leaflets for people to take away.

Nelsons Court, York, on Tuesday 7 May to Friday 10 May, there will be a stand in the main entrance area with information. On Wednesday 8 May, 2 – 3pm and Friday 10 May, 1 – 3pm a palliative care nurse specialist will be available to talk to. There will be a stand in the main entrance area with information.

Selby Hospital, Thursday 9 May, 9 – 11 am. There will be a stand in the main entrance area with information and a palliative care clinical nurse specialist will be available.

St Monica’s, Easingwold, Tuesday 7 May to Friday 10 May there will be a stand in the main entrance area with information. On Tuesday 7 May 12 -1 pm, a palliative care clinical nurse specialist will be available and on Thursday 16 May, 1 – 2 pm. At the front entrance, palliative care team will be available for guidance, advice, and conversations about end-of-life care.