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 yesterday evening (Wednesday 5 February 2014) 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
• 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.”

-ENDS-