“I cannot conceive of any higher or more charitable motive to induce humanity to do its best than that which lends comfort to the last moments of the human being,” Rabbi Davis, 1903 When CEO of St Vincents, Sydney, Associate Professor Anthony Schembri, was working in the hospital’s archives recently, he came across a slender […]
Palliative Care
Let’s talk about it.
Christine from Brisbane’s father died in August, so not that long ago, as she explained on Radio National yesterday. She phoned in to speak on Hilary Harper’s Life Matters program: “Preparing for the loss of a loved one.” Christine’s father had a stroke 18 months before and as his death drew closer, Christine realised she […]
A life affirming book about death – with Murdoch Books
It’s been quiet around here for a little while because I’ve been working on an exciting project with Murdoch Books. Murdoch Books will be publishing my life affirming book about death in 2019. We agree that dying well is part of the brand’s mission to help people ‘live life well’. As I’ve travelled around interviewing […]
Will this report improve palliative care?
Will this report improve palliative care? Does it mean we’re about to get some big changes that’ll have an impact on everyone? The Productivity Commission’s Reforms to Human Services Inquiry Report went to the Government in October 2017. It looked at palliative care in Australia, which needs urgent attention. Seventy per cent of us want to […]
Could an end of life doula help to midwife your death?
Could an end of life doula, or amicus mortis help to midwife your death? ‘Doula’ is a Greek word for a woman who gives support, help, and advice to another woman during pregnancy and during and after birth. The word has now spread to cover the same style of care for someone who is dying.
Other expressions which cover support at the end of life are “midwife to the dying” and the Latin term “amicus mortis”, the friend of the dying.