Website to help those facing death or grief is launched
GUIDE WILL AID THE BEREAVED WITH USEFUL CARE SERVICES
AN NHS website has been launched to help people facing death and the bereaved families and loved ones they leave behind.
The Dying Matters site aims to be a comprehensive guide for those struggling to deal with the most fundamentally difficult and traumatic of times.
People living in the city and county will have somewhere to turn for information, advice and support through every stage of “dying, death and bereavement”.
The initiative was piloted in Rutland at the end of 2020, where it was led by Dr Sarah Furness, Lord-Lieutenant of the county.
With the support of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), which are funding the service, it is now being extended.
The website addresses many hard questions, such as what to expect during the last days and how to prepare and support loved ones, including children, through loss.
Speaking last year, Dr Furness said: “I’m delighted to start this initiative, I think it meets a real need.
“People told me when they were in an extremely difficult situation, thinking about their own death or death of a relative – or planning for a death – that it was very difficult to find out what help was available.
“It exists, but it is really tough finding out, and when you’re stressed the last thing you want to have to do is to plough through all sorts of sources of information.”
“So we wanted to bring together all the expertise to make sure that we give people the best help possible.”
Dr Reema Parwaiz, a GP and clinical lead for end of life with the CCGs, said the last year of the coronavirus pandemic had been particularly devastating and had demonstrated the need for extra support.
He said: “Talking about dying and death is something people understandably feel uncomfortable about, but it is something we all need to do at some point because it affects every one of us.“The past year has been devastating, with so many deaths due to Covid, and I think this has highlighted for many of us just how important it is to have the information you need in order to plan ahead, as this helps everyone concerned.
“We hope people will find this resource helpful during difficult times.”
Liz Jones, patient representative with Dying Matters, said preparation was key to mitigating the fear and distress associated with severe illness, death and dying.
“This website is really useful for everyone, but especially for those people who may be either in the last few weeks or days of life and for loved ones who may be caring for them,” she said.
“It gives absolutely everything you would need to get you through this most traumatic of times in easy to understand wording.
“I wish I would have had access to this when my mum was near the end. It would have prepared me instead of me being frightened and upset and made her passing easier.” Claire Henry, palliative care clinician and director of Dying Matters in Rutland, said it was important to help those left behind following a death.
She said: “I believe no-one should ever have to grieve alone or become isolated through grief and this is why great emphasis is placed on helping those who are left behind.
“The website not only explains the practicalities and legalities of reporting a death and organising a funeral, but also lists a wide range of bereavement support organisations, including drop-in centres and organisations that provide religious and spiritual support.
“For people coming to the end of their life, there is advice on how to start those difficult discussions with loved ones and the website highlights the importance of end-of-life planning, by putting key documents in place such as an Advance Care Plan and ReSpect form, to ensure each person is able to have the best end of life possible.”
It gives everything you would need to get you through this most traumatic of times
Liz Jones