People across North West failing to talk about dying and risking leaving it too late to make wishes known

People across the North West risk missing out on having their end of life wishes met and leaving their affairs in a mess for their families to sort out because they haven’t planned for their death, according to a new study released by the Dying Matters Coalition.

ComRes research, released to coincide with Dying Matters Awareness Week (18-24 May) finds that although the majority of people surveyed in the region think it is more acceptable to talk about dying now than it was 10 years ago, discussing dying and making end of life plans remains a taboo, as a majority think that people in Britain are uncomfortable discussing dying, death and bereavement.

• Although a third (32%) of people in the North West say they think about dying and death at least once a week, 70% believe that people in Britain are uncomfortable discussing dying, death and bereavement.
• Only 33% of adults in the North West say they have written a will, 29% that they have registered as an organ donor or have a donor card, 26% that they have taken out life insurance, 23% that they have talked to someone about their funeral wishes and 8% that they have written down their wishes or preferences about their future care, should they be unable to make decisions for themselves. 
• Just 12% of people in the region – the lowest in Britain - say they have asked a family member about their end of life wishes. 

Despite this failure to talk about dying and plan ahead, 70% of North West residents agree that if people in Britain felt more comfortable discussing dying, death and bereavement it would be easier to have our end of life wishes met.

The research also finds that the majority of people across the North West (78%) agree that quality of life is more important than how long they live for.

Across the region, almost three-quarters of people (73%) agree that providing end of life care should be a fundamental part of the work of the NHS.

Claire Henry, Chief Executive of the Dying Matters Coalition, said: “We need to change the nation’s approach to dying, so that all of us become better at making our end of life wishes known and asking our loved ones about theirs.

"Talking about dying and planning ahead may not be easy, but it can help us to make the most of life and spare our loved ones from making difficult decisions on our behalf or dealing with the fallout if we haven’t got our affairs in order.”

Professor Mayur Lakhani, a practising GP and Chairman of the Dying Matters Coalition, added: “There are encouraging signs that talking about dying is becoming less of a taboo than previously, but too many people are continuing to avoid facing up to their own mortality and are not putting plans in place.

"The public and health professionals alike need to become more comfortable talking about dying and discussion options for end of life care.

"We know that many people have strong views about their end of life wishes, but unless they talk about them and plan ahead they are unlikely to be met.”