End of life care conference at the Nunnery

Research symposium organised by Hospice IOM

Some of the leading professionals in end of life care were at the second Hospice Isle of Man Scholl Academic Centre annual research symposium at the UCM Nunnery campus today.

The title of the day was: "are we getting it right?"

Three experts in the field gave their findings and thoughts.

Professor John Ellershaw is a director of the Palliative Care Institute at the University of Liverpool.

He was joined by Professor Gunn Grande, who is from Manchester University, where he deals with palliative care at the Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work.

The third guest was Dr Alison Coackley who is Clinical Lead for the Serious Illness Care Programme UK.

Professor Ellershaw has accepted an invitation to take up the honorary position of Visiting Professor of Palliative Care to Hospice Isle of Man.

Manx Radio's Lewis Foster went along to event today to speak to the organisers and guests.

Chief Executive Officer of Hospice Isle of Man, Anne Mills, says the symposium is vital for research:

Sarah McGhee, Director of Research at Hospice IoM, explained the meaning behind this year's title:

Professor John Ellershaw says the Island has a "forward looking" hospice:

Professor Gunn Grande's recent research focuses on the support needs of family carers, and says she's pleased to see the hospice's support towards end-of-life care in the community:

Dr Alison Coackley is Clinical Lead for Serious Illness Care Programme UK, which aims to allow patients to express their preferences and make sure their needs are met.

Here, she explains the programme, and some of the challenges they can face:

For more information regarding the symposium, visit the Hospice Isle of Man website here.

To hear more about end of life care, you can listen to a podcast of Manx Radio's Perspective programme here, which looked at 'Dying Matters'.