November 19th, 2010
What is the role of the creative arts in end of life care and do the benefits of creative performance with patients and carers outweigh the costs? Health and social care leaders are invited to join a panel discussion next week (25 Nov), ahead of an exclusive performance at the British Museum, as part of work to improve care for the dying.
The discussion marks the launch of Let’s talk about it an innovative arts project from the Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme, arts charity Rosetta Life and local people. It puts the patient voice at the heart of live performance, to raise awareness about death, dying and exceptional end of life care. Sir John Tusa will chair a panel including Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE, inviting comments on arts in end of life care and service improvement.
Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark, Director, Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme, will be on the panel. She said: “To help people achieve a ‘good death’ we need to be able to talk about end of life. The performance at the British Museum demonstrates how the creative arts can inspire and instill people with the confidence to talk about these issues.
“The creative arts has a vital role in helping to improve care for people who are dying, but is this always possible with the time and resources available? We want to invite health and social care leaders to join our discussion and hear about the positive impact it can have for patients, carers and staff.”
People from Lambeth and Southwark are performing at the British Museum as part of new exhibition Journey through the afterlife: ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead. Rosetta Life held workshops in Lambeth and Southwark, inviting people to share and record their stories. They developed the project with support from the National Theatre Studio, rehearsing with professional actors and musicians.
The Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme works with local people, acute and primary health and social care, voluntary and independent sector organisations to deliver exceptional end of life care. For details visit www.gsttcharity.org.uk/projects/eolc.html
Journey through the afterlife: ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, supported by BP, is at the British Museum, London, WC1, 4 November until 6 March, for details visit www.britishmuseum.org
ENDS
For more information contact:
Jessica Mangold, communications and engagement manager,
020 7188 7888 ext 51727 or email Jessica.mangold@gstt.nhs.uk
Notes to editors:
1.We all die, but we don’t all die well. The Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme is committed to improving services in Lambeth and Southwark so more people have a ‘good death’.
2.The Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme is a partnership between local people, acute and primary health and social care, voluntary and independent sector organisations to deliver exceptional services.
3.The Modernisation Initiative is funded by the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity with support from the King’s College Hospital Charity and South London and Maudsley Charitable Funds. For details visit www.gsttcharity.org.uk/projects/eolc.html
4.Rosetta Life is a professional arts organisation with over 10 years experience of delivering user-led performance projects in the end-of-life environment. Through Rosetta Life interventions patients find voice and are heard. Means of dissemination, with the necessary consents, include live performance, online and DVD. For more information visit www.youtube.com/rosettalive
5.Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity is one of the UK’s largest and most innovative NHS charities. The Charity’s aim is to ensure patients get the very best care possible in the best environment by funding new services and approaches to healthcare at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Lambeth, NHS Southwark, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Other organisations can also apply for service innovation funding with sponsorship from one of the beneficiary Trusts. The Charity also funds health-related research in partnership with academic institutions, focusing on research which can be translated into patient care. It also provides a thriving visual and performance art programme to enhance the patient experience.
The Charity’s work is made possible by donations from patients, their families and members of the public. It undertakes fundraising campaigns to support major projects and specific areas of need, including the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the planned Integrated Cancer Centre for London. For information contact Richard Stone, Head of Communications on Tel: 020 7188 1218
