The stunning Legislative Chamber at Parliament was packed on the evening of 11 March as an audience of the public, palliative care professionals, Ministers and MPs came together to listen to Dr Kathryn Mannix talk about dying.
Our brilliant MC Arrun Soma shared his” Hi Five Over Death” moment.
Rei Kōtuku and Dr Amanda Evans exceptional care was highlighted by parents, Tyson and Rachel wholeheartedly sharing the story of the death of their son, Otis. Wayne Naylor, CE of Hospice NZ highlighted the challenges - the number of people needing hospice care is going to double in just 20 years and funding needs to keep up.
And the spotlight shone on Dr Kathryn Mannix who shared her stories of many years at the bedside of dying people. She illuminated the power of talking about dying to help people worry less.
Her compelling wisdom reminding us how ordinary dying is not something to fear but something to talk about more.
If we keep dying on the down low and don’t like to talk about it, how will the value of palliative care be noticed ? How will it get the urgent investment we need right now?
We all have a role to play; policy makers, palliative care workers, GPs and everyone in community to talk about ordinary dying and help recapture death as a social event.
We are so grateful for Tanya Unkovich MP for sponsoring the event.
