Through the pandemic period, many people have faced talking more about death, dying and bereavement as these things have come to meet them. Many in our society remain uncomfortable talking about death, and only time will tell how the past year will affect this in the longer term. In the UK, as in much of the Western world, we have medicalised the process of dying into hospitals, too often hiding death from the community and leading to an institutionalised experience of death.
Alongside the huge challenges and trauma that the last year has brought, the pandemic has also acted as a catalyst for significant change and innovation, shining a light on unacceptable existing disparities in care. The crisis has also further amplified the need for us to strive harder for just, equitable, person-centred and holistic support to be accessible to all as a right; care that reflects the unique life needs of each human being, rather than the needs of the system.
Proactively pursuing social inclusion is critical in improving access to end of life support to everyone. The right to a high-quality care and support at the end of life should not depend on your post code and access or accessibility to resources and knowledge nor should it be hampered by your race, religion or sexual orientation. Everyone’s life book is unique, and so should the last chapter be.
Read full article Credit: Matthew Reed, ehospice editorial