S2E12 Death: Terminal illness and the right to die

Warning: Discussions around suicide and assisted dying. If you need someone to talk to, call the Samaritans on 116 123. 

It happens to everybody but nobody wants to talk about it: the irony is, it's often the not talking about death that makes it such a terrible thing.

For our season finale, we bring you a special-length investigation into the real-life consequences of silence and stigma around dying. Doctors are restricted by it, patients isolated and otherised for it, families unable to prepare and grieve properly, and those who want choice about how they die are denied it and even criminalised. Media Storm speaks to families and individuals affected by terminal illness and grief about the choices and conversations they’d like to have more of.

The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with research by Eliza Mellor. The music is by @soundofsamfire. With special thanks to On Road Media. 

Guests: 

Ellie Ball @wee_ellster

Dignity in Dying @dignityindying

Dr Finella Craig, Great Ormond Street Hospital @GreatOrmondSt

Simon Blake @simonblake

Hospice UK's Dying Matters Campaign @hospiceuk @DyingMatters

Aongola's Story https://bit.ly/3uDnX4N 

Resources:

On Road Media's Children's Palliative Care project: https://bit.ly/3FyNdiY

Jessie May Children's Hospices at Home: jessiemay.org.uk

Together For Short Lives: https://bit.ly/2s8yYuu

Simon Blake's blog https://bit.ly/3izLxNa

Sisters & Brothers: Stories about the death of a sibling, by Julie Bentley and Simon Blake https://amzn.to/3VCFcPG

Sources:

Terminal illness and 'suicide' https://bit.ly/3XZpPmd

ONS findings https://bit.ly/3PgtmZd

Brits assisted dying in Switzerland https://bit.ly/3BgRGEE

Palliative care funding https://bit.ly/3iLIDoL

Palliative care access https://bit.ly/3W0Qo8w

Palliative care and life expectancy https://bit.ly/3FBCZP7

British public opinions https://bit.ly/3iLIUrN

YouGov poll https://bit.ly/3uuyboj

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