A sensitive subject has been broached at Airedale General Hospital – that of death.
Hospital staff joined forces with public and voluntary organisations to highlight some of the issues about the end of life as part of Dying Matters awareness week.
Representatives of the trust’s palliative care team and health information service, Age UK, Manorlands Hospice, Carers’ Resource, Cruse, different faith groups, organ donation and solicitors firms were among those on hand.
Karen Dunwoody, patient experience lead for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said the event proved very successful and created a great deal of interest and visitors were given a wealth of information about different aspects of ‘end of life’. There was a focus on five recommendations for people to do.
Visitors were invited to take part in a ‘bucket list’ and write down one thing they wanted to do before they die.
Mrs Dunwoody said: “The bucket list was full of ‘wishes’, some funny, some light-hearted, some very profound – but it made lots of people think and talk together.
“We are grateful to all who took part and hope the event has stimulated many people to consider carrying out one or more of the five things they need to do to live well and die well.”
For more information and a copy of a Dying Matters leaflet covering recording your funeral wishes, organ donation, writing a will and planning your future car and support visit dyingmatters.org.