Sharing Current Scottish Practice

Raising awareness of palliative care

Staff from the NHS Tayside Palliative Care Service have been busy over the summer working in the local community to raise awareness of palliative care services.

Staff set up a stall and provided information at various community events throughout Dundee, including Celebration in the Park, Lochee Festival of Life, and the Fintry Gala. The stall provided information on:

• Specialist palliative care and what services are provided locally
• Here 4U, the community volunteer support project
• Good Life, Good Grief, Good Grief

People were encouraged to write their hopes, dreams and aspirations on a Before I Die wall. The wall helped staff to initiate conversations, and encouraged people to stop and find out more. There were 114 contributions made to the wall over the three events.

Staff had conversations with 80 people about: palliative care services; thinking and planning ahead; and volunteering. People also picked up information and invitations to the Macmillan coffee morning to be held on the 28^th September.

The event helped to bring information about palliative care services and available support to many people who were previously not aware of the service or the support that is available.

For more information about these events, please contact Elaine Colville.