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Experts Ask Are We Living and Dying Well Yet?

The challenges and achievements of the Scottish Government’s palliative and end of life care strategy Living and Dying Well was debated by palliative care professionals and MSPs on 5 February at a discussion organised by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Five years on from the launch of the national action plan, discussions focussed on the successes of Living and Dying Well as well as recognising the need for a new framework for action. A good death for everyone was highlighted as an important focus. Panel members agreed that open and honest conversations at the end of life need to happen sooner in order to ensure that patients get their wishes and needs fulfilled.

Over 80 guests heard from ten panellists:

• Kenny Steele, Chair of Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care (Chair of the event)
• Aileen McLeod MSP (Host of the event)
• Rhoda Grant MSP
• Jim Hume MSP
• Nanette Milne MSP
• Professor David Clark, University of Glasgow
• Maria McGill, Chief Executive, Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS)
• Dr Juliet Spiller, Consultant in Palliative Care Medicine, Marie Curie
• Professor Craig White, Divisional Clinical Lead, Scottish Government
• Professor Elizabeth Ireland, GP

Richard Meade, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie Cancer Care said: “The event was about the sector coming together to agree how Scotland can continue to lead in palliative and end of life care. However, it is clear that we need to do more to engage everyone in this debate. It’s time for a national conversation on death and dying.”

Kenny Steele, Chair of the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care said: “The panellists and audience agreed that all parts of society need to be engaged in how we meet the challenges of end of life care. A clear framework for action is required to provide focus for this, to ensure that we deliver good end of life care for everyone in Scotland.”

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Carole McGregor 1392805690

Having recent personal experience of the appalling standard of palliative care in acute hospitals at weekends, I strongly urge all professionals involved in this field to stop talking and start acting. The problems are well known. To me, the Living and Dying Well initiative has achieved very little and we are no further forward in giving the people of Scotland the chance of having a dignified and compassionate end of life experience.

Barbara Chalmers, FInal Fling 1391764054

Be good to know what KPIs and evaluation are in place as part of quality standards so we can start measuring and pushing change.

Claire MAITLAND 1391723065

Not before time! As Cicely Saunders said " How we die remains in the memory of those who live on." For far too many people the memories are blighted by the final few days/hours they spent with their loved ones, being cared for often in the wrong place and by people lacking both the skills and confidence to support patients and families at this important time.