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PA25 Openness about death, dying and bereavement in fife – building on the skills and knowledge of our people
  1. Gordon McLaren,
  2. Sheila Matthew,
  3. Peter Aitken,
  4. Tracey Blyth and
  5. Sarah Nealon
  1. On Behalf of the Fife Death Dying and Bereavement Group – National Health Service, UK

Abstract

Background A multiagency group was set up in 2011 to encourage a more open approach to death, dying and bereavement in Fife, linked to the Scottish Alliance, Good Life Good Death Good Grief.

Aim To encourage and facilitate a more open approach to death, dying and bereavement in Fife through raising awareness and encouraging people across society to consider how they can further this agenda themselves.

Method The group has organised two well attended Fife wide conferences, with a wide range of participants from different organisations and the public, an all day drop-in event at a shopping centre, and a cafe event. Group members also produced some brief and practical information about Wills, Powers of Attorney, Advance Directives, Funeral Planning and the death registration process. Both conferences drew on the knowledge and skills of the participants as members of society and encouraged them to have confidence to take forward the agenda in their own way.

Results The most recent conference in November 2014 was very well received. A high proportion of attendees reported that they would take forward some actions themselves either at home, in their workplace or in their communities.

Conclusion The group’s work complements Good Life Good Death Good Grief nationally and provides a local focus to enable wider conversations about openness about death, dying and bereavement in Fife and greater knowledge of practical information.

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