#67 Why we need to talk more about Ordinary Dying with Lizzi Collinge

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Lizzi Collinge. We talk about what happened following her Grandma's stroke focusing on missed opportunities to talk about Ordinary Dying and the difference this would have made. We discuss the emotive subject of Clinically Assisted Hydration and Lizzi explains what she has learned about her Grandma's death and how different conversations at the time could have helped.

Key messages from guest

• Lizzi explains she wants her story heard, and for healthcare professionals to learn from her experience

• After a serious stroke Lizzi’s Grandma was transferred to a care home where she died

• Lizzi explains the symptoms her Grandma experienced prior to her death

• As Lizzi’s Grandma became more poorly she started eating less which Lizzi now recognises as part of the dying process

• Nobody explained the normal dying process or the benefits and burden of artificial hydration

• Lizzi explains how it would have helped if someone had explained that her Grandma was dying

• Being prescribed oral antibiotics at a time her Grandma couldn’t eat or drink added to the confusion Lizzi and her family felt

• Lizzi explains the impact of watching the Dr Kathryn Mannix explaining Ordinary Dying and how much it helped

Resource

• Find out more about the Abbey Pain Score ( a way of assassin pain if a person has dementia and cannot verbalise)

• Access: What is the impact of clinically assisted hydration in the last days of life? A systematic literature review and narrative synthesis 

• Access: Clinically assisted hydration in patients in the last days of life (‘CHELsea II’ trial): a cluster randomised trial 

• Watch the Dr Kathry Mannix video explaining Ordinary Dying 

• Listen to the podcast Using tender conversations in Advance Care Planning with Dr Kathryn Mannix

Bio:

Lizzi Collinge is a county councillor who specialises in Health and Social care as Deputy Chair of Lancashire's Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee. She was also a carer for her late grandparents and is a Mum of two young children.