The Talking Mortality Podcast Dr Calvin J. Lightbody

A Bill that would see Assisted Dying legalised is set to go before the Scottish Parliament this year. But what are the implications for medical professionals and their patients?  
Two consultant doctors discuss this and share their personal clinical experience in the care of patients who are approaching the end of life. 
They explore safeguards in the Bill to protect the vulnerable and examine potential consequences for those who lack capacity or have mental illness. 
An alternative or "3rd Way" to sustain the viability of the NHS into the future is considered at the end of this episode. 

A bereaved daughter gives an open, honest and sincere account of her mother's journey with dementia, from diagnosis through to her eventual death at home.
We discuss the impact of the illness on her Mum and a hospital admission near the end of life that was fraught with many challenges.
There are many things to learn from Mairi's Story; for individuals diagnosed with a chronic incurable illness, their families and the wider healthcare profession too.

A look at frailty from the perspective of a consultant in geriatric medicine. Following on from the previous episode where we explored frailty in the community setting, Dr Helen McKee shares her experience and insights into caring for frail patients in an acute hospital.
Helen outlines why hospital admission can sometimes be harmful for frail patients and outlines some novel approaches in their care.
We talk about the benefits of discussing care preferences for patients with severe frailty and how this is particularly relevant when approaching the end of life.

Link to the Lanarkshire "Hospital at Home" service:

https://www.hospitalathome.org.uk/lanarkshire-hah

Just over half of our over 65 year old population live with a degree of frailty. So what exactly is frailty? Can it be prevented or controlled? What are the implications of and prognosis with a diagnosis of frailty? What are the benefits of early recognition?
I'm discussing these and related questions with Dr Paul Baughan, GP and National Clinical Lead for Palliative & End of Life Care with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).
To find out more about the work HIS are doing to help people living with frailty please click on the link below:

https://ihub.scot/improvement-programmes/living-well-in-communities/our-programmes/living-and-dying-well-with-frailty/

"My doctor has referred me to palliative care - does that mean they've given up on me and I'm going to die?". This is a common and understandable concern for patients who have a life limiting condition when they first hear about the referral.
In episode 6 of Talking Mortality, we explore this and some other misunderstandings about palliative care. Dr Karen Harvie who is a consultant in palliative medicine, helps to bring some clarity and realism.
Reflecting on her years of experience caring for patients with palliative care needs, Karen shares her wisdom and guides us through some of the frequently encountered myths about end-of-life-care. 

What is dementia? If someone has dementia, what is their prognosis and outlook for the future? What happens when a patient no longer has the capacity to make decisions about their own healthcare? What about dementia care at the end of life?
In this episode Dr Calvin Lightbody discusses these issues with Dr Gillian Docherty who is a consultant in old age psychiatry. They also discuss powers of attorney, anticipatory care plans and palliative care for dementia patients.