Registered Nurse, Jayne Green, discusses what a ‘good death’ means to her. 

What does a ‘good death’ mean to you?

A good death to me is one that is free from distress and pain. Respecting the dignity and spiritual element of the patient’s wishes, while supporting their emotional wellbeing during the journey of both the patient and the family. 

What does it mean to you to be able to support someone who is dying? 

Not everyone in life gets to experience a good death. In my position, I am privileged to be able to help someone experience a ‘good death’ and I will do that to the best of my ability. As a nurse, I care about my patients through sickness and death. 

How can everyone at Ashgate help support those who are dying? 

By keeping families informed, we can help our patients to experience a ‘good death’ and give families time and space after the death of a loved one. 

We can all provide effective communication with patients and their families to help better understand their wishes and preferences. We can provide prevention, relief, reduction or soothing of symptoms to help loved ones die peacefully without pain.  

On the Inpatient Unit, we help our families develop memories they can hold and cherish after death. These include handprints, a lock of hair, wooden and knitted hearts and forget me not seeds.