A Lambeth organisation is asking people to talk about what makes a good death.

The Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care programme, that operates from Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospital, looks at every aspect of end of life care in Lambeth.

It checks which services work well, where they need to improve and how they can be exceptional so people die in the most dignified way whether at home, in hospital or the community.

But programme director Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark, said the best way for people to ensure their needs are met when they die is to talk about it as early as possible with loved ones.

She said: “It doesn’t bring death nearer. There are simple things we can all do to ensure we have exceptional care and they start with talking about what we want at the end of life.”

The programme, a partnership between local people, acute and primary health and social care, voluntary and independent sector organisations, is raising awareness of its work as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week.

For more information visit gsttcharity.org.uk/projects/eolc.html