Dying Matters Awareness Week, 2024 – let’s get talking!

Dying Matters is a significant event that encourages healthy conversations about death and dying. This year, it commences on 6 May 2024, and the theme is ‘The way we talk about Dying Matters’. It focuses on the language we use when discussing death, dying, and grief.

Why language matters

Honest, timely conversations about death and dying are essential to good end of life care. Yet all too often, barriers including lack of confidence, taboos around discussing death, and confusion about who should be having these conversations mean patients, carers and families may not understand what is happening. In addition to not getting all the information and support they need.

District nurse roadshow

Our Community Palliative Care team will be visiting all District Nurse bases on the below dates to provide support, information, and awareness of Dying Matters.

They will also share valuable resources, useful tips and best practice on how to start honest, transparent conversations about death and dying. All of which will help people feel informed, supported, and empowered at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.

During the roadshow, we’ll be sharing insights to local projects that we are working with and you may benefit from, such as the DAVID project (Dignity and Voices In Dying).

Resources

We’ve been busy behind the scenes to ensure staff members are equipped with the right resources to aid them in having conversations about why dying matters. From creating chatterboxes, right through to an interactive presentation for staff.

For further information, please contact lee.macneall@merseycare.nhs.uk, Patient Experience Manager.