I established Living Well Dying Well in 2010, aiming to inform and re-empower individuals and communities to make choices and take ‘ownership’ of death and dying. I am a former nurse and midwife with a special interest in end of life care. I developed the End of Life Doula certificated training and currently teach the programme throughout the UK.
www.livingwelldyingwell.net
Death and dying within current medical practice has become increasingly complex. Almost 50% of deaths take place in a hospital system that is geared towards acute care; this all too often results in an unsatisfactory or traumatic experience for all involved. There appears to be little recognition of death as a significant life event one that is a timely and profound transition, requiring sensitive communication, safety, time and mindful compassionate support. Re-visioning death, inspiring public engagement and creating environments where we can do death differently, is one of the most important challenges of our time.