Dr Brian Ensor, Director of Palliative Care and Wendie Ayley, clinical nurse specialist, are both from Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington.
Next week the hospice is holding a conference for health professionals, plus a public lecture, to talk about the last 48 hours of life and the needs of both the dying and those who care for them.
The hospice points out that most deaths are not sudden, they occur over hours or days. They want to focus on the physiological, emotional, cultural and spiritual elements of the last 48 hours of life, and how health professionals can assist the dying person to have a dignified and comfortable end, and for family and friends to be able to have as positive an experience of their loved one's death as is possible.
Wallace Chapman talks to Dr Brian Ensor and nurse Wendie Ayley.
Public lecture: 'The Dying Room Te Ara Whanui' is at St Andrews on The Terrace, Wellington, Friday, 15 May, 6-7pm.
