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In this episode I have the absolute pleasure of chatting with Dr Karen Chumbley, Chief Medical Officer at St Helena Hospice who shares with us her passion for making End of Life care as good as it can be for everyone.
Before Joining the Hospice I had no real idea about what they do, what they offer, how they work, why there are so many charity shops!  
I used to be a Charge Nurse in Care of the elderly 30 years ago. I had looked after my own mother  for years as her main carer before she died in 2000 and yet I knew very little about Hospices and if I didn't know much about them how could I expect anyone else to know about what they do.
Unless you have had reason to use one for yourself or a relative it can be strange to have an understanding of their role in Society, how they came about and what they can offer.
Karen does an amazing job offering her insights into the subject and shares her personal motivation for working in this area.
Great interview, amazing lady.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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In this interview I chat to Lee Jaschok Director of Freedom Funerals about the whole perception of what makes a good Funeral and for who. 
There are now many options available to us for that last celebration of our lives, we discuss those and look at a whole range of issues around that event.
What happens if someone doesn't have enough money for a Funeral? What are we allowed to do in that 30 minutes at the Chapel of Rest.  Where can I be be buried and how.
This was a fascinating Interview that was made even more enjoyable by interviewing someone so personable.
It is in Lee's nature to put people at their ease in what may be a difficult time for them and that may be why he is such a well respected Funeral Director and just a great guy!

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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In this interview we dive straight into looking at what death looks like in the last 4 weeks of our lives.  Everyone is different of course, we all die from a variety of illnesses and conditions but there are many commonalities to be seen.
These can be seen as markers if you like of knowing that someone is getting closer to the their end of life.
I am privileged enough to be joined by Becky Rix Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Helena Hospice to explore what the last few weeks mostly look like and to discuss some of the issues around that.
Before we kick off though I just want to say that if you are adversely affected by anything you hear there are bereavement support centres around the world and all you have to do is type grief counselling into your search engine and I'm pretty sure you'll be able to get help quite quickly.  In the UK there are many such avenues and probably the most well know here is Cruse bereavement support.  
There's a Facebook page called Everything End of life and there will be a Website coming.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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In this first episode I ask my daughter to interview me about what the upcoming Podcast is about,  I'm pretty sure that you can get an idea from the title though. Having said that she does skilfully ask all of the right questions about who I shall be interviewing and what subjects I shall be interviewing them about.
In it we briefly discuss Hospice care, different cultures and how they approach end of life care, how different religions get involved, funerals, wills.  Essentially it is a Podcast to introduce you to the subject and gives an outline to what it is about and the kind of guests that we shall be inviting.
The first upcoming Interview will grasp the nettle of how we are in the last four weeks or so of our lives and what that looks like and who is involved. That will be with Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative care CNS Becky Rix. 
The following weeks episodes will include the Director of Freedom Funerals talking about alternatives to the traditional approach, the Clinical Medical officer of St Helena Hospice about what Hospices are and what they can offer and then a lovely lady called Di Renders telling us about her journey as a carer for her Husband Roger who died last year and about how she was supported by friends, family, Hospice staff, and many more.
This Podcast will then start to expand upon the subject by inviting different cultural leaders to share how they approach end of life care and we'll take a look at The Mexican festivals that celebrate death, we'll talk to florists about the history of flowers and their meanings at the end of life.  
Essentially, everything is on the table for discussion from the grieving process to advances in Cancer treatments and even living wakes.
Everything End of Life.
And skilful an interview though Sarah was, no I didn't pay her! Cruel and Evil father that I am! 

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1