Members of the South Asian community met with healthcare representatives on 23rd August to talk about the issues raised by caring for people at the end of their lives.

Nadeem Mir, Chair for Calderdale Council of Mosques, invited Dr Mary Kiely, consultant in palliative medicine, Dr Tim Jackson, consultant anaesthetist and Dr Rachel Shiels, medical director at Overgate Hospice, Elland to help discuss this important topic.

At the event held at Held at Madni Mosque, Halifax, information was given on how treatment and care was tailored to those nearing the end of their lives, how difficult decisions were made in a compassionate way, and the purpose of Hospice care.

The event was planned by Rev George Spencer and Zeenat Hussain, CHFT Chaplaincy, Andrea Vickerman, CHFT Training Lead for End of Life Care, Karen Hagreen, clinical educator in End of Life Care at Overgate Hospice and Sail Suleman, Calderdale Council’s Cohesion and Equality Officer.

Calderdale Council of Mosques facilitated the event with the support of the Madni Mosque who generously offering the venue and helped with the serving of drinks and food. The event was also broadcast on the local S Asian radio network.      

The legal requirements of registering deaths with reference to the customs of Muslim community were outlined by Andrea Breen, Superintendent Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Calderdale Council. There was also a theological reflection from Azim Kidwai, who spoke movingly of his personal experiences of advocating for a follower of Islam in hospital: through dialogue, the patient’s concerns were met by using appropriate palliative measures in conformity with their beliefs.

The event was designed as an exchange of information and practice to encourage uptake of palliative care support within the South Asian community, and questions from those attending highlighted the need to understand different perspectives, which included the importance of meeting religious and cultural needs with sensitivity. The plan now is to roll out the model to other communities as well as address issues raised by the day.