PEOPLE are being asked to answer some difficult questions about death and dying by organisations around the town for Dying Matters Week, in a bid to raise the standard of care of dying people.

The questions are being asked by local organisations involved in the care and support of dying people in Swindon.

They have been put into a questionnaire designed to highlight what would matter most to people and their families at the very end of their lives.

Prospect Hospice, NHS Swindon CCG, Great Western Hospital, SEQOL, Swindon Carers, Public Health Swindon and Healthwatch Swindon have designed the questionnaire which will be launched at the end of May, as part of the national Dying Matters Awareness Week initiative, which takes place from May 18 to May 24.

The organisations are asking members of the public at events in venues across Swindon to take just a few minutes to indicate what they see as their main priorities The responses will then be used to help develop a Swindon Dying Well Charter to support the delivery of end-of-life services across the town.

Dr Kate Tredgett, a consultant in palliative medicine at both Prospect Hospice and the Great Western Hospital, said: “Collectively we are committed to uncovering what matters most to the people of Swindon when considering how they, or those important to them, will want to be cared for at the very end of their lives.

“We will all die one day, and we want to make sure the wishes of local people help to shape the services available in this community.

“We will be using the week to gather the views of as many people as can come to one of the events.

“Each of the organisations will be putting the questionnaire on our websites during the week too.”

People will be able to complete the questionnaire at the library at the Orbital in north Swindon on May18, at the Brunel Shopping Centre on May 20, in the Atrium at the Great Western Hospital on May 21, and at a special speaker event at Sandford House in Swindon’s town centre on May 22.

Dying Matters Awareness Week involves organisations across the UK involved in the support of dying and bereaved people.

For more information, visit www.dyingmatters.org or fill out the questionnaire at www.prospect-hospice.net.