THE palliative APPROACH

DEATH. It's not an easy thing to think about. People are often reluctant to consider their own mortality. However, death and dying are a fact of life. The fact that end-of-life care will be required for the vast majority of the population isn't something we often consider - unless you are a palliative care consultant or another health professional working in palliative care. We face death on a daily basis. Palliative care is an approach to health care that aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of both living and dying. We, palliative care consultants, endeavour to help patients deal with important physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and practical issues as they prepare for dying. We also help their loved ones cope with loss and grief after death has occurred.