Inaugural NHS Education for Scotland bereavement education conference - 11th Nov 2019
“Starting with the end in mind; A realistic approach to bereavement and resilience”
Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood opened the event, which had a strong emphasis on case scenarios throughout the day across the plenary and workshop sessions, to maximise the potential for practical clinical application. Adam Kay, author of the award-winning bestseller, This is Going to Hurt, closed the conference.
Below you can find short film clips from plenary session and workshop leaders, sharing a brief overview of the key take-home learning points from their sessions, all aimed at health and social care professionals.
Dr Catherine Calderwood (Chief Medical Officer for Scotland)
In this short film Dr Catherine Calderwood shares a summary of the presentation she gave to open the conference.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Beyond the Full Stop: Bereavement and the Power of Human Story
In this short film Dr Donald Macaskill (Chief Executive, Scottish Care) discusses the power of human stories, especially around times of bereavement; the need for staff to be supported when caring for people at end of life or following a death; and work that is underway to develop a Bereavement Charter for Scotland.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Dealing with Sudden & Unexpected Deaths: Perspectives from the Ambulance Service
In this short film Steven Short (Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Clinical Effectiveness Lead, Scottish Ambulance Service) discusses the impact on Scottish Ambulance personnel of dealing with death and bereavement, often on a regular basis, and in challenging situations.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Bereavement Following Substance Use
In this short film Martha Rae (Senior Virtual Support Practitioner, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs) discusses some of the key issues that people may face when they experience bereavement following substance use.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
“But She’s Not Religious!”: Spiritual Considerations Around End of Life
In this short film Mark Evans (Head of Spiritual Care & Bereavement Lead, NHS Fife) explores the role of Spiritual Care in the context of end of life and bereavement situations. He also reflects on the impact that dealing with death and dying can have upon staff and how people can best be supported at work.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Anticipatory Grief in Dementia Before the time of Death
In this short film Amanda McCarren (Head of Development and Lead for Scotland and Northern Ireland, tide – Together in Dementia Everyday) raises awareness of anticipatory grief and bereavement which family carers may experience when looking after someone with dementia before the time of a death and the potential benefits in terms of them accessing support when health and social care professionals are aware of this issue.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Helping Children who are Bereaved; The Impact of Language and Practice
In this short film Sonya Richardson (Lead Bereavement Support Worker, Richmond’s Hope) shares information on the bereavement support needs of children in Scotland and tips on supporting young people who are grieving.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Understanding the Needs of LGBT People in Relation to Death, Dying and Bereavement
In this short film Megan Snedden (Campaigns, Policy and Research Officer, Stonewall Scotland) shares information on some of the key issues affecting LGBT people in relation to death, dying and bereavement and outlines how health and social care professionals can best support LGBT people at this point in their life.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Managing Legal Processes After A Death – Medical Certification of Cause of Death
In this short film Dr George Fernie (Senior Medical Reviewer, Healthcare Improvement Scotland) shares information on the Medical Certification of Cause of Death review process in Scotland and interaction with families following a death. You may wish to consider also watching the film below recorded by David Green (Head of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service).
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Managing Legal Processes After A Death – Interaction with the Procurator Fiscal
In this short film David Green (Head of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service) shares information on the role of the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland and insights into when deaths should and should not be reported to the Fiscal.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Supporting those with Profound & Multiple Learning Disabilities & their Carers around Bereavement
In this short film Pat Graham (Chair, PAMIS) and Maureen McClelland (Fife Family Support Service Director, PAMIS) discuss the support needs of those with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities and their unpaid carers regarding bereavement and loss.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Psychological Resilience and Coping with Bereavement at Work
In this short film Dr Matthew Walton (Foundation Year 2 Doctor) discusses staff wellbeing and resilience in the context of traumatic situations that they may experience related to death, dying and bereavement in the course of their work.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
The Three R’s; Realism, Reflection and Resilience
In this short film Dr Ken Donaldson (Associate Postgraduate Dean for Grief & Bereavement, NHS Education for Scotland) discusses realism, reflection and resilience within the context of end of life and bereavement care and talks about the topic of death and dying as one which can often be seen as taboo.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Staying Well at Work
In this short film Sharon Williams (End of Life Training Facilitator, The Irish Hospice Foundation) discusses the need for those involved in end of life or bereavement-related care, to acknowledge that the work they do can be demanding, to recognise the impact that it can have upon them and consider how one can take measures to look after oneself.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Should Staff Attend Patient Funerals?
In this short film Dr Graham Whyte (Associate Postgraduate Dean for Grief & Bereavement, NHS Education for Scotland) explores the question of whether staff should attend patients’ funerals, by reviewing current literature on this topic and considering the ethical arguments for and against.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Managing Bereavement in the Workplace – what is helpful and what is not?
In this short film Andrew Gilles (Spiritual Care & Bereavement Lead, Golden Jubilee National Hospital) explores the ways in which staff can support their colleagues around times of bereavement.
Click on the image to the right to watch the video or here to view it on the NHS Education for Scotland Vimeo channel
A transcript for this video can be found here.
Look back at the programme
A range of topics were covered through the day including:
- Managing legal processes after a death
- Understanding the needs of LGBT+ people around death and bereavement
- Child bereavement
- Staff wellbeing and looking after yourself when working in end of life care
- Managing bereavement in the workplace
- Should staff attend patient funerals?
- Narratives of bereavement stories to emphasise the lived experience, including bereavement following substance use, anticipatory grief in dementia and perspectives from the Scottish Ambulance Service on dealing with sudden and unexpected deaths
- Highlighting the impact upon bereavement of clear, realistic conversations with patients and their families in keeping with the principles of Realistic Medicine
Conference flyer
Click here to view the 2019 conference flyer
