THE University of Winchester has assembled a panel of experts for a public seminar on death, dying and bereavement.

The free event, entitled Ending Well, will be held on June 28 and aims to explore different perspectives on these difficult topics and start a conversation about dying with dignity and why it is so important.

The panel will be chaired by Dr Lara Alloway, chief medical officer and palliative medical consultant at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation, and Iain Cameron, chief executive at St Michael’s Hospice in Basingstoke. Panel members will include Dr Anna Wilkinson, a consultant in palliative care, GP Charlotte Hutching who is also the clinical director for the Hampshire Integrated Care Board, and Rev Ruth Metcalf, chaplain at Hampshire Hospitals Foundation.

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Alongside the seminar, the audience will also be able to take part in a question-and-answer session.

Dr Alloway said: “In our wider society, death and dying is often neglected in conversation, which many people struggle to broach with family and friends. Lessening this taboo though, is so important.

“Through this seminar, we’re hoping to share thoughts on encouraging compassionate conversations within our communities, supporting a culture for everyone to feel comfortable talking about death, dying and why it matters.”

The seminar is part of a series of held by the University of Winchester, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St. Michael’s Hospice, Winchester Hospice, and The Countess of Brecknock Hospice, covering topical subjects on the theme of palliative and end-of-life care, and the experience of death. Previous seminars have explored key issues about health and wellbeing.

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A spokesperson for the University said: “A taboo very often exists around talking about death, dying and bereavement but these are important issues that we all face and at the University we deal with them across a wide range of our courses from health and wellbeing to religion and philosophy.”

The event takes place at the University of Winchester’s West Downs Centre from 6pm.

To reserve a place, visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/ending-well-exploring-issues-around-end-of-life-tickets.