Talking about death and dying isn’t easy, however it’s an important conversation to have that can make all the difference for individuals and families.
As part of Palliative Care Week (6-12 September 2026) we are releasing the latest episode of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s ‘Care to Chat?’ podcast. The theme of ‘It’s Not What You Think’ fits well with the discussion.
Presenter Dr Wendy Austin MBE explores one of the most sensitive yet important conversations in health and social care – focussing on palliative care, death and dying.
Joined by Professor Audrey Roulston, Queen’s University Belfast, Aislinn Delaney, Northern Ireland Hospice, Rosena Robinson, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Fiona Somers from Voices for Care, they discuss how honest communication, compassionate care and person-centred planning can help people live as well as possible following a life-limiting diagnosis.
This episode challenges common misconceptions surrounding palliative care, stressing that it is not just for the final days of life and is not limited to people with cancer. Instead, palliative care focuses on improving quality of life through symptom management, emotional and psychological support and helping individuals make informed choices about their care. It emphasises that early advance care planning and open conversations about wishes and preferences can make a significant difference.
Aislinn Delaney strongly believes it’s important to not be afraid of having these conversations.
“It’s not just about dying. It’s about helping people to live as well as possible for as long as possible.
“We only get one chance to do this right for people at the end of their lives. We need to be brave enough to start those conversations. Anyone involved in that person’s life can have them.”
The panel also reflects on the vital role social workers, social care practitioners, families and multidisciplinary teams play in supporting people through end-of-life care. From listening to personal wishes and maintaining dignity, to supporting loved ones and challenging fears about hospice care, the discussion reinforces that good palliative care is holistic, compassionate and tailored to every individual.
The episode offers valuable insight for social work and social care professionals, while also providing reassurance and practical guidance for anyone supporting someone with a life-limiting illness or planning for future care.
Listeners are encouraged to move beyond the myths surrounding palliative care, normalise conversations about death and dying, and access trusted resources such as:
- Palliative Care Hub, available from Bereaved NI
- Learning Zone ‘Grief and Bereavement’ resource,
- The Palliative Care Hub website, and
- book recommendations including, ‘When there are few words.’
‘Care to chat’ releases a new episode every fortnight, discussing current topics about social care and social work regulation in Northern Ireland. Listen to ‘Care to chat’ wherever you find your favourite podcasts including Apple, Spotify, or on our website at: niscc.info/care-to-chat-podcast, where you can find all the new episodes and episodes from our previous series.
Episode 8: Guiding them home – Relationships in social work and social care (39 minutes)
For more information:
As the Care to chat podcasts are designed with the social care and social work workforce in mind, we would like to invite suggestions of topics that our listeners would be interested to hear covered. If you have questions, suggestions or feedback about the podcast, email: comms@niscc.hscni.net.