The aim of the project is to capture people’s experiences and views of caring for, supporting or looking after someone at the end of their life, during death and immediately after death. The findings will be used to inform and influence the design and review of local end of life services, plans and strategies across the county.
It does not matter where or how their friend or relative died (e.g. at home or within a hospital or care setting), but the experience must relate to an adult who lived in Suffolk or north east Essex. Though it is not the primary focus of this research, we will be interested to hear from people who have known someone whose death was caused by coronavirus. This will help to identify how the virus has impacted on people’s access to support.
The short survey looks at the care and support a relative or friend received in the last few months of their life and also explores how carers, in the widest sense, have felt supported and what could have made things easier since the beginning of 2020. There is also the option of taking part in a telephone interview. Their death may have been unexpected (e.g. caused by coronavirus), or it may have been after a period of serious illness during which time they had thought about their wishes for end of life care. Whatever the circumstances, all views are welcome and will improve support for people at the end of life in Suffolk and north east Essex. All responses to the survey are anonymous.
For more information, and to take part, please visit https://healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/endoflifesurvey/ or call freephone 0800 4488234 if you need help to complete it. Free and confidential signposting advice is also available using this number.
Direct link to the survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/W9F5GKX
It is recognised that death and dying is a sensitive topic area. For that reason Healthwatch Suffolk has created a page with information about support that may be useful when communicating about this work. Please visit: http://www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/endoflifesupport
