IT IS, of course, easy to make confident, if not over-confident statements around end-of-life issues if you imagine that the prospect of your own mortality lurks below some distant horizon, but none of us can avoid these issues forever.

Using straightforward language when talking about death is important when supporting bereaved children in class, teachers have been told.

Patients and carers are being urged to share their experiences of palliative care in the first survey about the issue.