Bringing communities together to talk about death and dying

This Dying Matters Week, GP Gurdev Singh Saini tells us why he decided to become a trustee at Saint Francis Hospice and how he has been bringing communities together to talk about death and dying so it no longer becomes a conversation to be feared but accepted as a natural part of life.

I have worked as a hospital doctor in India, Denmark and the UK. In the early eighties, I started work as a GP in Havering.

I have always been interested in end-of-life care so I felt honoured when I was asked to be a trustee of the Saint Francis Hospice, where my clinical, management and commissioning skills could be used for a worthwhile purpose.

I am of the view that everyone should have access to palliative care that is right for each individual, before, during, and after death. It should also provide support to carers, family, and loved ones as they face really challenging and life-changing events when someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Saint Francis Hospice provides physical, mental, and social care under one roof. It receives limited financial support from the NHS in the form of a grant (only 27%) so the majority of the cost of care is met from fundraising.

Using my position to raise awareness

I have taken the lead in developing end-of-life care both as a commissioner and as a member of the Havering Health and Well-being board.

I have organised death café meetings, where everyone could talk about their view on death. One theme emerged from these meetings - why don't we talk about death and prepare ourselves for that last life event.

The team at the hospice aims to provide excellent end-of-life care to its patients which is sustainable, individualised, and holistically driven by the ambition that every person regardless of their diagnosis, the complexity of need, or social circumstances, should have equal access to personalised care. This should be provided irrespective of their race, culture, or spiritual views.

I am also aiming to break the taboo of conversation about end-of-life care and death, thus creating an environment where we can discuss these issues openly.