Sam Royston is Director of Policy and Research of Marie Curie, the UK’s end of life charity. He was previously Policy Director at The Children's Society, and is a former chair of the End Child Poverty coalition. He is also author of the book "Broken Benefits: What's gone wrong with welfare reform".

In this episode we discuss the Marie Curie 2022 Dying in Poverty report and what has changed in the two years since it’s been published. We also explore the Better end of life care report, published in September 2024, and the duel need to raise awareness and take action.

If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in end of life care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I provide details on how I can help you. You will also find information about my Lasting Power of Attorney consultancy and the talks I offer for organisations.

If you enjoy the episode or learn something new, please consider buying me a coffee to go towards making more valuable podcasts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6nQVJqVgLY

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Karen Turner. Karen is a physiotherapist with a clinical background in oncology and palliative care. Karen is now Head of Improvement at the Royal Free Hospital where she Champions the benefit and impact of asking What Matters to You. We explore how Karen became interested in the What Matters to You movement and the difference it has made to her patients, staff and close friends too.

If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in end of life care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I provide details on how I can help you. You will also find information about my Lasting Power of Attorney consultancy and the talks I offer for organisations.

If you enjoy the episode or learn something new, please consider buying me a coffee to go towards making more valuable podcasts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6nQVJqVgLY

In this episode I talk with Dr Joseph Hawkins, best known as Joe to his colleagues and patients where he works at St Peter’s hospital in Chertsey. Joe is a palliative medicine consultant and has worked in community, hospital and hospice settings as both registrar and consultant.

If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in end of life care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I provide details on how I can help you. You will also find information about my Lasting Power of Attorney consultancy and the talks I offer for organisations.

If you enjoy the episode or learn something new, please consider buying me a coffee to go towards making more valuable podcasts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6nQVJqVgLY

I am thrilled that Dani will be joining me as a regular guest on the podcast. We’re going to be reflecting on updates, resources and our experiences around Advance Care Planning. In this episode we explore recent research into radiological tests in the last six months of life. We also discuss the Dr Kathryn Mannix TED Talk, Heart Stopping moments and how this could be used in your practice

If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in end of life care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I provide details on how I can help you. You will also find information about my Lasting Power of Attorney consultancy and the talks I offer for organisations.

If you enjoy the episode or learn something new, please consider buying me a coffee to go towards making more valuable podcasts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6nQVJqVgLY

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Penny Shepherd. Penny is the coordinator and co-founder of Ageing Without Children East Kent (AWOC East Kent), a group run by and for people who are ageing without the support of adult children, either because they never had children or for other reasons.

We explore the Advance Care Planning challenges and healthcare assumptions faced by people who are ageing without children and the campaigning work of AWOC.

If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in end of life care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I provide details on how I can help you. You will also find information about my Lasting Power of Attorney consultancy and the talks I offer for organisations.

If you enjoy the episode or learn something new, please consider buying me a coffee to go towards making more valuable podcasts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6nQVJqVgLY

In this very special 100th episode I talk with Martin Whiskin, an award winning voiceover artist and podcast editor. Martin is very importantly the technical expertise behind Conversations About Advance Care Planning.

We reflect on episodes 75 to 100 and how they have impacted us both personally and professionally. As ever, I am blown away by Martin’s revelations and how Advance Care Planning has become such a normal and comfortable part of his life planning.

If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in end of life care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I provide details on how I can help you. You will also find information about my Lasting Power of Attorney consultancy and the talks I offer for organisations.

If you enjoy the episode or learn something new, please consider buying me a coffee to go towards making more valuable podcasts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6nQVJqVgLY

In this episode it is my pleasure to meet the team behind the Victoria and Stuart Project, a tool kit and resource for end of life planning for people with learning disabilities within all care settings.

I learn about the triggers for the project, how the work developed and find out about the incredible resource that has been created.

If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in end of life care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I provide details on how I can help you. You will also find information about my Lasting Power of Attorney consultancy and the talks I offer for organisations.

If you enjoy the episode or learn something new, please consider buying me a coffee to go towards making more valuable podcasts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6nQVJqVgLY

In this episode I talk with Louisa Nicoll, wife of John and palliative care nurse. Louisa generously shares their family experience following John's sudden and life changing diagnosis of cancer.

We talk about what it felt like for John to receive chemotherapy and the decision to stop palliative chemotherapy. We also explore what the word treatment means and the changing nature of hope.

If you are a team looking to provide better end of life care, or set up a one off or complete education programme in end of life care head to www.speakformelpa.co.uk where I provide details on how I can help you. You will also find information about my Lasting Power of Attorney consultancy and the talks I offer for organisations.

If you enjoy the episode or learn something new, please consider buying me a coffee to go towards making more valuable podcasts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6nQVJqVgLY