Vision

The North East will have the highest quality services to support individuals (along with their families and carers) in their choices as they approach death. By a good death we mean one which is free of pain, with family and friends nearby, with dignity and in the place of one’s choosing.

Highlights

• A report on progress in 2011 in implementing the charter for A Good Death is now available.

• A summary of priorities for 2012 has been agreed.

• Details from the UK’s first ever regional public consultation on death and dying are available in a summary booklet and a full report. Included in the reports is an updated version of the north east charter for A Good Death.

• How HR policies can support a compassionate community approach to end of life is examined in a new project report .

• Ideas for implementation by local authorities are now available

• The support and time to think project to help people in their choice to live and die at home has now been launched on Tyneside.

• The charter for A Good Death is now available in 7 other language versions: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu.

• We have also produced a simplified version which sets out the charter principles in more accessible language.

• Prepared quantitative data tables from the consultation have been made available for use by researchers and analysts.

Background

The north east is the first region in the UK to adopt a broad-based public health approach to end of life issues. A charter for A Good Death has been developed by a multi-agency advisory group. This sets out key principles for individuals and organisations in relation to good practice when dealing with people who are dying, their carers and families, and the bereaved.

Following public consultation, the north east charter has gained wide endorsement, but if it is to be implemented it will need the support of all agencies as well as the public. We are continuing actively to promote its principles through a schedule of meetings with local government committees, directors of adult services, voluntary organisations, faith networks, and community groups.

Our aim is to stimulate a societal approach which sees death, dying and bereavement as normal to life, and which strengthens the role of local communities in supporting, caring for, and respecting the wishes of dying people and their families. Wide public involvement will be important in securing the principles of the charter and drawing up sustainable locally-based plans for implementation.

We have developed plans for implementing and embedding the charter’s principles of respect, time to plan, support and care in all areas across the north east. Work has started on the top priorities, including: community development and support; a focus on equality, diversity and faith; supporting people in their choice of where they wish to die; compassionate human resource policies; workforce development; identifying training needs; education; and legal support for vulnerable people.