Improving Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care

Dear friends,

As you already know, the common thread of our posts during 2023 is Building Hope in Present Continuous.

On our second post of the year, we are pleased to inform you about the Annual Conference on Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care organized by Marie Curie from the 6th to the 10th of February.

‘Improving End of Life for All’ Research Conference is online and free. That makes it easier for everyone interested to register for any or all conferences. Find all the information at: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/research/annual-research-conference-2023

You can also have access to the conference program and the link where you can meet the speakers and what the sessions will be about: https://goodgrieffest.com/the-annual-marie-curie-virtual-research-conference-2023-improving- end-of-life-for-all/

The main topics are:

Monday, Feb 6th:

11:00 am. Conference Opening and Better Out of Hours Palliative and End of Life Care.

1:30 pm. A spotlight on: Patient and Public Involvement in Research and Policy.

Tuesday, Feb 7th:

11:00 am. Financial Insecurity at the End of Life.

1:30 pm. A Spotlight On: Digital interventions in palliative and end of life care.

Wednesday, Feb 8th:

11:00 am. Support for Everyone Affected by Death, Dying and Bereavement.

Thursday, Feb 9th:

11:00 am. Challenging Inequity in Palliative and End of Life Care.

1:30 pm. A spotlight On: End of life care for people with neurological conditions (dementia and motor neurone disease).

Friday, Feb 10th

11:00 am. Physical Health and Well-Being at the End of Life.

1:30 pm. A spotlight on: Mental Health, Wellbeing and Support Needs in palliative and end of life care.

In line with these talks, when I was about to publish this post, Enric Benito surprised me with a gift that I am delighted to share with you: «The process of dying, school of life«. His conference about Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care at the Bilbao Academy of Medical Sciences – invited by Fundación Pía Aguirreche (Palliative Care), 18th January 2023.

There is a lot to take in from Enric’s conference. I highlight the headlines of the lessons he explains widely:

1 Dying is normal, and it is also safe.

2 Dying opens us to the truth.

3 Dying does not hurt.

5 Meaning opens the way for us.

4 What do I need to know for when it’s my turn?

6 We can die healthy.

7 Accompanying and being there has a prize.

And also, Enric reminds us that dying is a natural process which is well organised, like giving birth is as well. It is necessary to know and understand it.

As many of you know, Enric Benito is an Oncologist and an Expert in Palliative Care. He visited us at the beginning of 2016 with this invaluable interview. And at the end of the same year, we shared with you «El Viaje Definitivo» (The Ultimate Journey), an essential documentary on Palliative Care in the Balearic Islands. In July 2017, we delved into The Transformative Power of Compassion.

* * *

Approaching the process of dying with serenity and humility is an opportunity of Learning about Life, Love, and Hope.

It is a new Enlightenment.

Elena Lorente Guerrero

4rth of February 2023

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