Workshop Information

Session 1 - 11.45 - 13.10 (Delegates to attend 2 sessions)

A. Helping Children who are Bereaved: The Impact of Language and Practice
Reverend Liz Henderson, Founder / Chief Executive and Sonya Richardson, Lead Bereavement Support Worker,  Richmond’s Hope

This workshop will give an insight into how children of different ages experience death and bereavement. From the perspective of a child bereavement charity, the session will reflect years of learning from young people about both what they found helped, and what didn't, when they were bereaved. It will outline simple changes in language and / or practice that can positively impact a child's future ability to live well with their grief.

B. Understanding the Needs of LGBT People in Relation to Death, Dying and Bereavement
Morgan Lev Edward Holleb, Programmes Officer and Megan Snedden, Campaigns, Policy and Research Officer, Stonewall Scotland

Many lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) people have fears about reaching the end of their life – how they will be treated in care homes and hospitals, whether their identity will be respected by staff, how they will be recognised after death, and whether their loved ones will be supported throughout bereavement.  This workshop, facilitated by Stonewall Scotland, will give delegates the opportunity to identify key issues affecting LGBT people in relation to death, dying and bereavement, and develop an understanding of how best to support LGBT people at this time of their lives.

C. Managing Legal Processes Following a Death: Including Medical Certification of Cause of Death & Interaction with the Procurator Fiscal
David Green, Head of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service & Dr George Fernie, Senior Medical Reviewer, Healthcare Improvement Scotland

This will be an interactive discussion with the Head of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, David Green, and the Senior Medical Reviewer at Death Certification Review Service, Dr George Fernie, on frequently asked questions, popular misconceptions or urban myths and how their respective systems overlap and interact.

D. "Invisible Sorrows" - Supporting those with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities and their Unpaid Carers around Bereavement and Loss
Pat Graham, Chair and Maureen McClelland, Fife Family Support Service Director, PAMIS

This interactive workshop will cover disenfranchised grief and chronic sorrow. The facilitators will lead a discussion on ways to help people with profound learning disabilities who are non-verbal. We will show video footage of parent carers and siblings speaking of their bereavement and loss experiences. The workshop is relevant for anyone involved in the lives of people with profound learning disabilities. Workshop participants will be encouraged to share their expertise and knowledge with the group. The workshop will also signpost to other learning resources.

Session 2 - 14.45 - 16:10 (Delegates to attend 2 sessions)

A. The Three Rs; Realism, Reflection and Resilience
Dr Kenneth Donaldson, Medical Director / Associate Postgraduate Dean for Grief and Bereavement, NHS Dumfries & Galloway / NHS Education for Scotland and Dr Matthew Walton, Foundation Year 2 Doctor, NHS (London)

In this workshop we shall build on the theme of stories. One aspect of Realistic Medicine is that of Shared Decision Making and this is of paramount importance when the decision is around treatment escalation or conservative care. Too often the conversation is about the former with not enough ‘realism’ about a patient’s circumstances. The impact upon a family’s bereavement cannot be underestimated but often the impact is also on the clinician who can be left with lingering doubt and guilt. We wish to share some real stories and explore methods of reflection that can help us all learn from these encounters and, ultimately, become more resilient in the process.

B. Staying Well at Work
Sharon Williams, End of Life Care Education Workshop Facilitator, The Irish Hospice Foundation

Facilitated by the Irish Hospice Foundation, this session will explore ways to look after yourself when working in end of life care and bereavement. Opportunity will be provided to discuss the challenges of working with people around the time of a death, but also to consider and explore practical approaches that can help health and social care professionals to support themselves and their colleagues.

C. Should Staff Attend Patient Funerals?
Dr Graham Whyte, Consultant in Palliative Medicine / Associate Postgraduate Dean for Grief and Bereavement, Marie Curie Hospice Glasgow / NHS Education for Scotland

The appropriateness of attending a patient’s funeral can present a professional dilemma to health and social care professionals. This workshop will look at the potential benefits of attendance at patients’ funerals both for families and on a personal level, but also explore some of the factors that hinder attendance.

The workshop will also explore some of the ethical issues such as can it be ‘right’ to attend one funeral and not attend them all and where does your duty of care end?

D. Managing Bereavement in the Workplace - What is helpful and what is not?
Andrew Gillies, Spiritual Care and Bereavement Lead, Golden Jubilee National Hospital

Getting back to work after a personal bereavement can be challenging, especially when one’s work involves caring for people who are themselves at the end of life or who are bereaved. This workshop will provide an opportunity to explore stories and examples of good practice e.g. how managers, teams and organisations can best support colleagues or employees who have experienced a bereavement, through compassionate conversations and HR policies.