THE BEST DEATH

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, how do you plan for the best death possible?

In April 2008 Sarah’s husband, Lincoln, died from kidney cancer that was diagnosed only four months earlier. He was 48.

Sarah is a registered nurse, sociologist and ethicist with experience in the research, training and management of end-of-life care. Her 30 years of working in the healthcare system did not fully prepare her for Lincoln’s death, but it did help her and Lincoln plan for the best death possible. This book is the result of Sarah’s personal and professional experiences. It is an intimate, compassionate and practical guide to help you and the people you love face death.

This book helps you to:
• understand and believe bad news including diagnosis and prognosis
• develop your own end-of-life plan
• get the support you need professionally and personally to make your plan happen
• identify the legal documents that you may need
• understand the dying process
• troubleshoot care issues.

DR SARAH WINCH is the CEO of the not-for-profit organisation Health Ethics Australia, consultant ethicist at Staffandpatientsafety.org and senior lecturer in health care ethics at the University of Queensland, School of Medicine. She is a registered nurse and health care ethicist with thirty years’ experience in the management, research and education in end-of- life matters. She teaches ethics and law to medical students, conducts research on futile treatment, and consults widely to the community and healthcare professionals on ethics at end of life, resource allocation, and improving the ethical culture of healthcare workplaces. Sarah published Best Death Possible: A Guide to Dying in Australia in 2013 and is committed to improving death literacy amongst Australians.