13/04/2017 - Permalink

Event in Shrewsbury for people to talk about End of Life care and death

Related topics: Community / Health / Partner organisations

News from our partners Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

And while people are happy to moan about having to hand over a large chunk of their hard-earned cash to the taxman, we are still very reticent to talk about death or dying.

But a group of individuals from across Shropshire are hoping to change all that with a special event which is being held in Shrewsbury as part of Dying Matters Week.

The public event will take place in the Square in Shrewsbury from 10am–2pm on Friday 12 May 2017 and will involve the End of Life Care team from The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), Severn Hospice, Shropshire Council, local commissioners, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and Shropshire Partners in Care.

It aims to make it easier for people to discuss death and dying by meeting professionals in a more relaxed environment.

Jules Lewis, End of Life Care Facilitator at SaTH, who is helping to organise the event, said:

“There will be lots happening on the day. We will be holding a ‘talking about death and dying café’ where people can sit and have an informal chat about issues connected to death and dying and there will be cupcakes, crafts and a florist with us.

“We will be asking people how they would like to be remembered and what they want to do before they die.

“This is not about organisations arranging an event; it is about individuals coming together to talk about this very important part of life, which many still struggle to discuss. We will not be in uniform, as very often even that is seen as a barrier to people being able to talk openly and honestly.”

Plans for the event are still being finalised, and there may be a few surprises on the day.

Jules said:

“Death and dying is very difficult to deal with, even for staff who work in hospitals and other healthcare settings, but we really hope people will take this opportunity to start a dialogue about it and start to normalise conversations about death.”  

Futher information

  • The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is the main provider of acute hospital care for almost 500,000 people from Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales. Patients come to us from Telford, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Whitchurch, Newtown and Welshpool in Powys.
  • The Trust continues to work with its partners in health and social care in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales to develop patient-focused services that meet the needs of our communities.
  • If you have any feedback about local healthcare, independent support and signposting is available from Healthwatch Shropshire, Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin and Powys Community Health Council (CHC).
  • Healthwatch Shropshire: 01743 237884 or email the team via enquiries@healthwatchshropshire.co.uk
  • Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin: 01952 739540 or email info@healthwatchtelfordandwrekin.co.uk
  • Powys CHC: 01686 627632 or email enquiries.powyschc@waleschc.org.uk.