A community conversation on end-of-life

Recently, the Dying to Know event was held at the Margaret Whitlam Centre in Waverley.  It was a valuable opportunity for community members to hear from a specialist panel in the end-of-life area and ask questions. The event was opened by Allegra Spender MP and the panellists were:

• Dr Linda Sheahan, Clinical Stream Director Palliative and End of Life Care for South East Area Health Service, and Clinical Ethics Consultant - and lead for the SESLHD Clinical Ethics Support Service.
• Anita McBride, Community Development Specialist, Metropolitan Memorial Park
• Yvonne Coburn, National Champion, Palliative Care Australia
• Dr Patrick Bolton, Complex Care Physician and Medical Lead for Voluntary Assisted Dying, Southeastern Sydney, Local Health District

Key points discussed included the importance of the role of GPs in planning end-of-life, how to access palliative care earlier and how getting informed earlier improves the palliative care journey as a whole.

The night was very positive with great feedback from people, including:

• "It is a relief this subject is being discussed."
• "I didn’t know what to expect, loved hearing all the important information and realised so much help and information out there."
• "Inspiring."

The event continued on from recent Death Cafes in the area, including one in Waverley, which fostered authentic and positive conversations around death.

For further information on Waverley Council's end-of-life literacy events, please contact  bronwyn.elbourne@waverley.nsw.gov.au.