I am an intensive care consultant and medical examiner with a special interest in end-of-life care, bereavement and patient safety. I am undertaking a patient safety PhD looking at organisational learning in healthcare policy and specifically evaluating the Learning from Deaths policy. Through this I have seen that communication with families at the end of life could be much improved. I have undertaken bereavement training and I volunteer with Cruse Bereavement Support.

Many patients who die in hospital in the UK will die in intensive care, with a similar percentage of deaths when compared to hospice deaths. Some of these deaths are inevitable and involve withdrawing or withholding treatments. Evidence from academic papers worldwide shows that end-of-life care in intensive care could be improved through better communication with and involvement of relatives. I believe good endings are as important as beginnings and are vital for the wellbeing of those bereaved.

I hope that this Fellowship will enable me to produce best practice guidance and contribute to a cultural shift towards ensuring that there is provision for both family involvement and bereavement support in adult intensive care.