1 February 2022

CNWL palliative medicine consultant, Dr Libby Sallnow, spoke today [Tuesday, 1 February] on the BBC about the need for increased death literacy.

Dr Sallnow, was co-chair of The Lancet Commission on the Value of Death, whose report was published today.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Dr Sallnow said: “We don’t talk about that [death] and I hear a lot of people that I support and care for, saying that they wish they knew what was happening, what the changes would be like and importantly how to respond to them.

“I think it’s empowering to have that knowledge because without that it’s a frightening time and so we are calling for an increase in knowledge and understanding and confidence in dealing with these important times and that then allows people to give their loved ones the care that they wish to give.”

In the report, the Commissioners argue that death and life are bound together: without death there would be no life. The Commission proposes a new vision for death and dying, with greater community involvement alongside health and social care services, and increased bereavement support.

Dr Sallnow also works for UCLH and is an honorary senior clinical lecturer at St Christopher’s & UCL in new public health approaches.

You can hear her interview on https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0013zn8 at 2hrs and 38 minutes in.

The Lancet Commission report is available here: https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/value-of-death.