Dying Matters Week

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is urging people in the area to have “The Big Conversation” as part of Dying Matters Week, 9-15 May.

The initiative aims to encourage everyone to take five simple steps that can make a big difference to people when they are dying or bereaved.

Fiona Gilmour, Macmillan Service Improvement Lead for the Northern Trust, commented: “None of us want to think about getting ill or dying but we only have one chance to have our dying wishes met so it is important to plan ahead and discuss these plans with your loved ones.”

The five recommended steps are to write a will, record funeral wishes, plan future care and support, register as an organ donor and, most importantly of all, to tell your loved ones your wishes.

Fiona continued, “Although this could be difficult, having these discussions can be very useful for you and those important to you. It allows you to share your thoughts and feelings about the future and gives those close to you an opportunity to talk openly about what you want.”

A “Dying Matters” information event will be held on Wednesday 11 May at Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena from 10am – 1pm. The event includes talks, awareness stands and opens with a “Sure I’m only 76” sketch by Beam Creative Network. Anyone interested in attending can register by calling 028 2177 2100 or you can register on the day.

An information stand will also be set up on Monday 9 May at Antrim Area Hospital and information will be available at the Macmillan Information Pod, in the lobby of Causeway Hospital, all week.

The Northern Trust would encourage everyone to think ahead to the time when you or a family member will be ill and you need to know what they would want you to do. It’s so much easier to cope with the decisions that need to be made when you have had a conversation with them and know what they want you to do.

9th May 2016