Dying Matters Awareness Week roadshow
Date of release: 10 May 2024
Staff and patients in Wolverhampton were encouraged to open up about death, dying and grief, as part of an awareness roadshow which took place at New Cross Hospital.
Compton Care, a specialist palliative and bereavement support provider, visited the hospital during Dying Matters Awareness Week (6-12 May) to help communities talk about the topic.
The national campaign encourages people to start conversations and tackle the stigma around death and dying, with this year’s theme focusing on the language used and the conversations held with healthcare professionals.
Helping to highlight the important campaign, Compton Care’s Chief Executive Rachel Overfield, and Director of Clinical Services Jenny Warren, joined The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust’s Chief Nursing Officer, Debra Hickman and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Brian McKaig, at the hospital alongside staff from both organisations who were on hand to answer questions from the public.
Rachel Overfield said: “Talking about death and dying is hard to do, but honest and timely conversations are essential to good end of life care.
“Telling loved ones and healthcare professionals what matters to you and what’s important can reduce stress and anxiety and helps to ensure your future care wishes are met.
“It’s great to be here alongside our NHS colleagues offering expert advice on how to start those conversations, while also sharing information about how to plan for the future and details of how Compton’s specialist services can help people in Wolverhampton, South Staffs and the Black Country.”
Dr Brian McKaig said: “It is important that people can talk openly about death and dying but it can be very difficult for many. Dying Matters Awareness Week is an important campaign to help start these conversations and encourage people to start talking about it so there are no missed opportunities for people to share their wishes.
“It was great to have the Compton Care team on site today to talk to our staff and patients about this very important topic.”
Compton Care has produced a series of videos and resources giving guidance to help people approach this difficult subject, which can be found on its website, comptoncare.org.uk/dyingmatters.
To find out more about Compton Care’s specialist services, please contact its 24-hour Advice and Referral Line on 01902 774570.
ENDS
- For further information, please email amy.downward@nhs.net
