Moral Injury Webinar Series

Dying well? Moral dilemma in end of life care

By Dr Colette Hawkins (Consultant in Palliative Medicine at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

Tuesday 16 July 2024
7pm BST | 8pm CEST | 11am PDT | 2pm EDT

Death has become a societal taboo. In healthcare, it can be seen as a failing.

Care around end of life, for high income societies, has become increasingly focussed on physical treatment. Whilst advances in medicine and technology are to be welcomed, the way these are used can generate challenges. Overtreatment of a person who is dying can be traumatic. Instead, what is wanted is personalised care to an individual who is still living.

In addition, access to end of life support is inequitable.

The webinar we will explore the delivery of end of life care from an NHS perspective, considering the possibility that healthcare services in high income countries can inflict moral injury on those who seek our care. One driver is a culture of defying death through invasive treatments, risking moral injury to the staff themselves as they enter a battle they will, ultimately, lose.

In this webinar we will share experience and evidence, with the aim of discussing opportunities for change. Language, the value of death in society and the culture within education of health professionals will be considered and hopefully stimulate some lively discussion.

Our speaker Dr Colette Hawkins worked as Consultant in Palliative Medicine in North-East England for 16 years. Eight years ago, she moved from a clinical role to an academic role, in order to generate space to research the reality of life when living with progressive, or serious ill health. She is developing and delivering creative education for more honest and person-focussed care.

All welcome. To receive the Zoom link, please register for free at TicketTailor.

Videos of Previous Webinars

Please note that only the talks are recorded. Webinars include around 45 minutes audience discussion that is not recorded.