Conversations About Advance Care Planning

In the week leading up to Christmas, most people are doing final prep, presents, food and decorations.  Instead of that happy normal I spent the week before Christmas as an inpatient, most of that time at East Grinstead Hospital. This podcast is my way of saying thank you to everyone who took care of me in East Grinstead.   If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a...

Martin here (podcast editor)... In this special, unplanned episode, we hear lots of important messages from episodes throughout 2024. Clare is unwell, but she's promised she'll be back very soon! An opportunity then to hear from the amazing guests we've had on this year. If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in end of life...

In this episode it is my pleasure to catch up with Fliss Murtagh, Professor of Palliative Care at the Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull. Fliss talks through the 2024 Better End of Life Report and, to be frank, it's a hard listen. The gaps and inadequacy of care are identified, with clear next steps for how we can and must do better. If you are a...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with John Barlow, a firefighter in Essex and London. The acute risk of the role is something we are familiar with, but John shares data on the longer term health risks associated with the profession. With this in mind, we explore how familiar fire fighters are with planning ahead, and what elements of Advance Care Planning could be appropriate.   If you ar...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with the most special guest I have had so far - my daughter Robyn. We talk about Lasting Power of Attorney through the eyes of a younger person, challenge common perceptions and talk about ways that could make LPAs more relevant to young people. If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programm...

In this episode it is my pleasure to catch up with Dani and explore public awareness about  DNACPR and ReSPECT. We highlight some key challenges, share what's happening in our local patches and would love to hear from anyone with experience of delivering a public awareness ReSPECT campaign. If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education prog...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Dr Bin Johnston, founder of the Suffolk based charity, 'Our Special Friends. This incredible charity provides human-animal support services to vulnerable people with a love of animals. In discussion with Bin we explore the diverse work of Our Special Friends, Advance Care Planning inclusive of pets and the concept of animal inclusive communities. We a...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Thomas Whitelaw, National Lead for Person Centred Voices and know by many as Tommy on Tour. We explore What Matters to You from a carers perspective and Tommy shares how the experience of caring for his Mum proved the catalyst for the incredible work he does today. You can access the resource Tommy refers to in our conversation https://linktr.ee/perso...

This episode features a conversation and great catch up with Dani Ayre and the Waiting Room revolution Team. We discuss how the Advance Care Planning Conference developed, and the joy of working together for the Hope for the Best Plan for the Rest UK road tour. We also explore the next steps in bringing the principles of the Waiting Room Revolution to the UK. You can access the podcast in full at:...

This episode expands on a discussion I had with Nick Ferrari from LBC around assisted dying, specifically in response to Wes Streeting statement that he is "not sure that as a country we have the right end-of-life care available to enable a real choice on assisted dying." It's my first solo episode and I explore  the reality of end-of life-care provision,  debunk some of the emotive discussion aro...

In this episode it is my pleasure to speak with Beverley Bulmer, a Funeral Celebrant and founder of Leaving Gracefully, End of Life Planning. We explore the difference it can make when plans are in place, when and how to take the first steps and what Leaving Gracefully can offer.  If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in e...

Sam Royston is Director of Policy and Research of Marie Curie, the UK's end of life charity. He was previously Policy Director at The Children's Society, and is a former chair of the End Child Poverty coalition. He is also author of the book "Broken Benefits: What's gone wrong with welfare reform". In this episode we discuss the Marie Curie 2022 Dying in Poverty report and what has changed in the...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Karen Turner. Karen is a physiotherapist with a clinical background in oncology and palliative care. Karen is now Head of Improvement at the Royal Free Hospital where she  Champions the benefit and impact of asking What Matters to You. We explore how Karen became interested in the  What Matters to You movement and the difference it has made to her pat...

In this episode I talk with Dr Joseph Hawkins, best known as Joe to his colleagues and patients where he works at St Peter's hospital in Chertsey. Joe is a palliative medicine consultant and has worked in community, hospital and hospice settings as both registrar and consultant.   If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in e...

I am thrilled that Dani will be joining me as a regular guest on the podcast. We're going to be reflecting on updates, resources and our experiences around Advance Care Planning. In this episode we explore recent research into radiological tests in the last six months of life. We also discuss the Dr Kathryn Mannix TED Talk, Heart Stopping moments and how this could be used in your practice If you...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Penny Shepherd. Penny is the coordinator and co-founder of Ageing Without Children East Kent (AWOC East Kent), a group run by and for people who are ageing without the support of adult children, either because they never had children or for other reasons.  We explore the Advance Care Planning challenges and healthcare assumptions faced by people who a...

In this very special 100th episode I talk with Martin Whiskin, an award winning voiceover artist and podcast editor. Martin  is very importantly  the technical expertise behind Conversations About Advance Care Planning. We reflect on episodes 75 to 100 and how they have impacted us both personally and professionally. As ever, I am blown away by Martin's revelations and how Advance Care Planning ha...

In this episode it is my pleasure to meet the team behind the Victoria and Stuart Project, a tool kit and resource for end of life planning for people with learning disabilities within all care settings. I learn about the triggers for the project, how the work developed and find out about the incredible resource that has been created.   If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care,...

In this episode I talk with Louisa Nicoll, wife of John and palliative care nurse. Louisa generously shares their family experience following John's sudden and life changing diagnosis of cancer.    We talk about what it felt like for John to receive chemotherapy and the decision to stop palliative chemotherapy. We also explore what the word treatment means and the changing nature of hope.    If yo...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Su Squire. Su is a storyteller, poet, theatre-maker and Death Cafe facilitator. Her performance company, Off the Twig, creates work that encourages conversation and positive action around themes of death, dying and grief. We explore the catalyst that led to Sue's creative work and the impact that storytelling has on Advance Care Planning.   If you are...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Tara Humphrey, founder and CEO of THC Primary Care. It is a super episode in which we explore why Advance Care Planning is so important to Tara and how to use the model of Getting Your House in Order to guide planning ahead. Our conversation shows how to normalise Advance Care Planning and I am so grateful to Tara for having such an important conversa...

In this episode it is my pleasure with Radha Sundaram an NHS consultant in intensive for the last 16 years in Scotland. Radha is an advocate for organ donation and improving awareness amongst our diverse society. She has had a long-standing interest in end of life care and has been responsible for the guidelines in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Radha also does pro bono work for a charity called P...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Evie King, author of the incredible book Ashes to Admin. I learn from Evie what it means to have a Section 46 council funeral and, most importantly, that nobody is nobody. Evie describes the care and detail that goes into a council funeral dispelling myths about what it means to die alone and sharing what the role has taught her about planning ahead....

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Dr Lucy Pain, who is this year's Dying Matters Awareness week expert. I have the chance to thank Lucy publicly for recommending Conversations About Advance Care Planning as part of the recommended books (and more) for Dying Matters Awareness Week. We explore the importance of week, why language matters and what resource is available through Hospice UK...

In the final episode of our series of podcasts,  we continue to explore the model of Getting Your House in Order, describing it as a how to guide for Advance Care Planning. This episode focuses on Advance Care Planning associated specifically with End of Life Care. We explore what is meant by End of Life Care and break down care into the last years, months and days of life.  If you are a team look...