Team aims to tackle 'cultural taboo of dying'

A new initiative in Jersey is aiming to change how people with life-limiting illnesses are ed by improving quality of life from the moment of diagnosis.

As part of Jersey's End of Life Care Strategy, a dedicated "Living Well" team was launched to make palliative care more proactive and accessible earlier in a patient's journey.

"Palliative care has traditionally focused on the very final stages," said Dr James Grose, chairman of the End of Life Partnership Group.

"But our new team steps in much sooner - addressing symptoms, emotional wellbeing, spiritual concerns and social needs from the outset."

The team includes five specialist nurses offering personalised for patients and families.

They assist by managing symptoms, helping patients access services and discussing future care wishes.

Dr Grose said: "Starting these conversations early can reduce stress, improve quality of life, and help people feel more informed and empowered."

Alongside direct care, the initiative includes a doctor and nurse educators who were training health professionals across the island in communication, symptom control and advance care planning.

"There's a cultural taboo around death and dying," said Dr Grose.

"We're working to change that, so patients can talk openly about what matters to them."

Dr Grose said there were still "unmet needs" with end-of-life care in Jersey.

"This is about more than dying well - it's about living well, too," he said.

A wider government effort aims to provide better out of hours access to medication, people stay at home longer, provide essential equipment faster and establish stronger links between healthcare providers, charities and government services.

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