Organ Donation

As of May 2020, the law changed into an ‘Opt Out’ system. this means all adults in England (Unless you have chosen to Opt Out or you are in one of the certain excluded groups) organs will be donated.

You can also express your wishes by adding them to your Will, writing them down or telling someone you have appointed to make medical decisions on your behalf. To save your family from worrying about this decision, it is always a good idea to make your wishes known in advance.

If you would like to donate some or all of your organs in the event of your death, you can sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or register online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk.

End of Life Care

Given a choice, most people would prefer to die in the comfort of their own home surrounded by those they love. End of life care is described when someone is likely to die from their illness or condition within 12 months. Once an illness is deemed to be terminal by a medical professional, care becomes palliative, with the emphasis being placed on reducing pain before death occurs.

While many patients receive end of life care in a hospital, hospice or a care home, there are many other community services that can support patients and their families who are being cared for at home, at this time.

Palliative or end of live care has certain underlying principles: 

• Emphasis is placed on the quality of life
• Care is planned so that both the patient and family are supported before, during and after death
• Care is tailored to individual patient needs.

Talk to your GP or District Nurse if you feel that you would benefit from these services. Alternatively, if you want to research might be possible for you, you can go to the following webpage: www.nhs.uk/conditions/end-of-lifecare/

Hospice Care

Hospice Care is a type of care provided for patients who have a life limiting or terminal illness, this type of care can be offered in people’s own home, as an inpatient or in the hospice itself.

Hospice care services are provided by a team of professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, counsellors and trained volunteers and offers a range of services such as controlling pain, psychological and social support, rehabilitation, complementary therapies, financial advice and bereavement care. Hospice care is free and is paid via a combination of NHS funding, public funding, public donations, legacies left in wills and some hospices run their own lottery. Your GP or hospital usually refer you to hospice care, however you can also contact a hospice directly yourself but the hospice will also contact your GP to make sure that support is appropriate.