Around 80 colleagues joined guest speaker Chris Pointon, Associate Medical Director Sal Uka and deputy chief nurse Linsday Rudge at our inaugral Learning from Deaths summit last week.
The event at the Blackley Centre in Elland was dedicated to sharing learning from mortality reviews, end of life care, specialist palliative care, death certification and engaging with bereaved families.
Chris Pointon, husband of the late Kate Granger and guest speaker told colleagues "It’s been a fantastic afternoon with some amazing feedback. Death is something we all need to talk about - we’re all going to die. We need to have open and honest conversations before and after death, thinking about the desire and wishes of individuals involved".
Those who attended were asked to write a personal pledge on how they will try to improve the experience of patients who die in hospital.
Event sponsor Sal Uka said "This was our first Learning from Deaths Summit and we think it was really successful. I want to thank those who came for really engaging with us, but also for being so very candid about sharing their experiences. I really think that everyone left the summit with something that will undoubtedly make a difference".
Our new Chair Philip Lewer also attended. He said "I’m not clinical but what I can say is I’ve been at CHFT for 12 weeks ....and I love it. In fact to use a Lancashire phrase..."I’m made up.
"I’ve lost loved ones and what Chris has said today has been inspirational. It can’t have been easy sharing his most personal memories. It was a privilege to attend and our colleagues have been enthusiastic and committed. I’ve also personally pledged to see how I can improve some areas of our mortuary".
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Next Monday (23rd July) marks the second anniversary of Kate's death, and it would also have been Chris and Kate's 13th wedding anniversary. It is also being celebrated as Intrernational #Hello my name is Day.
It will be a good time for us to reflect on how such a simple thing as introducing yourself to patients and their families can make such a difference at often hard and challenging times.
Both chapels will be holding a minute's silence at 3.20pm - the time that Kate died as well as the time they said their vows in 2005. A candle will be lit in each chapel. If you're not able to make it you may wish to stop and pause to think about the impact Kate has had, as well as the campaign.
See the image below of Chris, Lindsay and Sal with the Hello my name is logo - taken at last week's summit.
If you'd like to know more about the campaign you can follow Chris on Twitter #hellomynameis@PointonChris