Conversations About Advance Care Planning

How to find a voice for Advance Care Planning is dedicated to the memory of Keith, an incredible gentleman I met many years ago and who taught me about the power and importance of voice in truly seeing a person. In this episode I talk with Sophie Whitehead, a speech therapist specialising in palliative care. We talk about the crucial role Speech Therapists have on patient wellbeing, dignity and qu...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Joanne Smithson from What Works Wellbeing and Sam Royston from Marie Curie about working when living with a terminal illness.  We reflect on the legacy of Clair Fisher and how Clair spoke so passionately about the impact on working on wellbeing. We talk about the research that has grown from this legacy and what the next steps look like. This is a gre...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Dr Zoë Fritz, a Consultant Physician at Addenbrooke's Hospital and ethicist. Zoe shares the catalyst for and development of the ReSPECT process, and why ReSPECT is so much more than a decision about resuscitation.   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 care hea...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Wendy Mitchell, bestselling author of "Somebody I Used to Know" and "What I wish People Knew about Dementia". Wendy also has young onset dementia following a diagnosis aged just 58. We talk about the words that were used when Wendy received her diagnosis and how framing this differently could have significantly improved Wendy's experience. We also dis...

In this episode it is my absolute pleasure to talk with Holly Lyon Hawke, a multi award winning holistic funeral director. I learn the difference between the process and ceremony of a funeral, what a true natural burial is and hear about the innovative work Holly does with pets as well as her book aimed at supporting children with the process of death and dying. Talking with Holly was eye opening...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Amabda Woodvine, CEO of Vegetarian for Life. I learn about the surprisingly high number of older vegans and vegetarians living in care homes, the challenges that can be experienced and I find out about some of the great resources available to help.  If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education...

When doing nothing is doing everything. In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Dr Erica Borgstrom, we explore research that led to the amination Not Intervening as a Form of Care and the complexities of language in advance care planning. 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 care head to www.speakfor...

In this episode I talk with Caroline England, founder of Featherbed tales. Caroline shares the inspiration behind Featherbed Tales, how the books, cards and poetry can be used and the power of voice in memory making. Caroline also describes the innovative work with libraries, childrens' hospitals and the Motor Neuron Disease Association and how the Featherbed Tales  technology can support Advance...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Professor Ruth Parry about Conversation Analysis. I learn the science behind skilled conversations and we discuss how this can be applied to Advance Care Planning.   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 care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I provide detai...

In this episode it is my pleasure and honour to talk with Dr Kathryn Mannix, retired palliative care consultant and best-selling author. We talk about the tender conversations that underpin Advance Care Planning, how to initiate Important Conversations with people you care about, and reflect on the influence and legacy of Deborah James and Clair Fisher. Kathryn describes the process of Ordinary Dy...

This episode has been re-released to raise awareness and discussion during Organ Donation Week 2022. It was humbling to listen to Vicki share her experience of Organ Donor Fi and I am honoured to share Fi's message and legacy. 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 care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I...

In this follow up episode I talk with Zoe Harris, founder of My Care Matters and creator of My Future Care Handbook and Buddy service. The podcast follows up a conversation I had with Zoe six months ago in episode 8 of Conversations About Advance Care PLanning. Like every guest, I asked Zoe what she had sone as part of her planning ahead and what was on her to do list. Zoe identified a need to sor...

In this episode it is my great pleasure to talk with Toby Freeman. Toby describes himself as a "financial advisor fortunate to have called rugby his job for 15 years". We talk about transitioning from professional rugby player to Financial Planner, how personal experiences impacted Toby and the things that could be considered as part of financial planning ahead. If you are a team looking to provid...

Care for others how you would wish to be cared for yourself. It sounds a great and is a maxim embedded in healthcare, but is there a better way? In this episode I talk with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov about The Platinum Rule, Advance Care Planning and truly personalised care. 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 li...

In this episode I talk with Dr Patricial Cantley, Consultant Geriatrician, about frailty, triggers for Advance Care Planning in frailty and Dr Cantley describes the famous Paper Boat story. Dr Cantley shares her personal experiences of Advance Care Planning with family members, too and we reflect on how we can plan ahead as part of everyday life.   If you are a team looking to provide better end o...

David reflects on the professional interest shown in Advance Care Planning and End of life Care when we presented at the 2022 Diabetes Professional Care Conference, and acknowledges these are subjects shied away from. Advance Care Planning should be about every patient that we see A person living with diabetes has a higher risk of dementia, renal impairment and infections which can impact quality...

We talk about the history of the podcast and which episode had the greatest impact on Martin and why. Martin shares the actions he has taken as a direct result of listening to the episodes and some very personal reflections on how it has changed his views on talking about death and the importance of planning ahead. Martin uses the term Speaking, Listening and Planning (and Talking, Listening and P...

In this very personal episode I talk with Professor Steve Gentleman, director of the Parkinson's Brain Bank, and Dr George Gverich - Tissue Bank Manager the tissue bank manager. We talk about the unique Parkinson's Brain Bank work and  also hear from my family members impacted by Parkinson's Disease.   If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete ed...

In this episode we explore Advance Care Planning, or Anticipatory Care Planning as it's called in Scotland and discuss the challenges of ACP conversations in a Community setting as well as the steps to a successful ACP conversation. 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 care head to   www.speakformelpa.co.uk...

In this episode I talk with EoL Doula Aly Dickinson. I learn more about the role of an EoL Doula and explore how they can help people and organisations in Advance Care Planning.  Our conversation highlights the components of Advance Care Planning, and Aly's approach shows how to create a practical plan from your initial thoughts. If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set...

Have you ever wondered just how to start an Advance Care Planning conversation? In this episode I talk with Andrew Saunderson about how Joy Lists can be an  effective way to elicit values on which to base Advance Care Planning decisions. 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 care head to  www.speakformelpa.c...

Organ Donation: hope and transition after an unexpected death with Vicki Caldwell, mother of organ donor Fi. This very special episode explores a mother's lived experience of traumatic and unexpected death of losing a child, saying yes to organ donation and the transition to finding hope and a new way of living. The podcast is released to coincide with the second anniversary of Max and Keira's Law...

In this episode I talk with Karine Diedrich about Advance Care Planning in Canada. We discuss how the Advance Care Planning Canada movement evolved and how to run a national Advance Care Planning Day. There are links to the fabulous resource in the show notes, many of which are transferable to the UK. If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete edu...

In this episode I talk with Karen about the many innovative and creative ways that memories can be kept. This episode will be of interest to those working in a specialist hospice environment but also shows how some memory making can be used in a  generalist environment too. 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 l...

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Dr. Hsien Seow and Dr. Samantha Winemaker, co-creators of the Waiting Room Revolution. I learn how the Waiting Room Revolution began and we discuss the skills they have identified to be hopeful and prepared when facing a serious illness. If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme i...