The Isle of Wight’s new High Sheriff is urging Isle of Wight residents to join his campaign to make an end-of-life plan.
Former Mountbatten CEO Nigel Hartley was appointed as High Sheriff at a declaration ceremony at Newport Minster last week (13th April), taking over the role from Jacqueline Gazzard.
As part of the High Sheriff’s pledge to support the local community, Nigel, 63, has launched his My Life, My Death, My Plan campaign with Mountbatten and a
host of other partners, encouraging people to make an end-of-life plan from a place of health.
Nigel, who worked in the hospice sector for nearly 40 years, has said:
“We will all die and we will all be bereaved, which makes death a normal and an expected process.
“Most of the time, we can experience unnecessary crisis and distress at the end of life, because we choose not to think about it, talk about it, or plan for it soon enough.
“It is usually exacerbated by the fact we are fearful to think about our own death, or the deaths of those close to us, and we therefore avoid having important conversations early enough to really make a difference.
“By signing up, you commit to highlighting and supporting the cause that everyone, regardless of age, background or circumstance, should put plans in place for their end-of-life well in advance from a place of calmness and health.”
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Anyone who joins Nigel’s campaign will gain access to guidance and information to support and encourage the end-of-life planning process, including an Advance Care Plan.
The guidance includes advice on making a Will, setting out end-of-life preferences and engaging in meaningful conversations with loved ones. It can be completed over time and at a pace comfortable to each individual.
Nigel said planning ahead will also help support the wider health system, including the NHS and hospices:
“The lack of planning and open discussion not only influences our relationships with families and friends, it also puts unnecessary and increasing financial and staffing pressures on our already overstretched health care, social care and charity sectors.
“They are increasingly using their valuable and progressively scarce resources to support the crises that comes when we ourselves are lacking in courage,
competence and foresight.“Having a plan can make such a huge difference when the time comes.”
Alongside his call to join the My Life, My Death, My Plan campaign, Nigel looks forward to serving civil law and order across the Island and also supporting our many charities and community groups.
To join the My Life, My Death, My Plan campaign, visit mountbatten.org.uk/highsheriffcampaign
The Lords ran out time yesterday to put my plan into action.
Good job they run out of time.
What a mistaka-to-maka!
Maybe have a word in the Lords chambers to ask a select few ‘Lords’ to stop intentionally slowing down the Dignity In Dying Bill for assisted dying from going through.
Makes one wonder how many Shipmans are out there in the
medical profession rubbing their hands together at the prospect.
It’s a recipe for disaster.
Life is too short as it is, who wants to plan for such an event
Live life and enjoy it.
I can’t believe there are incompassionate people against this merciful bill. Possibility someone very ill MIGHT assisted out of this life without requesting it but opposing assisted dying because of that slight possibility is grossly disproportionate to the hundreds of thousands having bad deaths, many in agony, after a joyous life. Or worse a sad life followed by a horrid end. Our life, our choice!