This discussion of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ 2025 guidance explores how death is defined, diagnosed and confirmed. It considers neurological criteria, evolving technology and the practical and ethical questions these changes raise for emergency and intensive care teams.
Death in 2025: New Definitions, Ethical Questions & Medical Guidelines Read More
How do we include children when someone they love is critically ill or dying? These notes accompany a conversation with Liz Crowe about clear explanations, addressing fears and self-blame, preparing children for the bedside and supporting families through difficult conversations.
Difficult conversations with children in critical care Read More
Better communication begins with understanding how others experience us. Drawing on the SMACC communication workshop, this post and accompanying podcast explore listening, signposting, silence, manageable chunks of information and responding compassionately when people struggle to absorb difficult news.
Strengthening Your Communication: St.Emlyn’s Read More
When might withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment be considered in the emergency department? Using hypothetical cases and the 2008 UK code of practice, this 2016 discussion explores uncertain prognosis, reversible causes, patient wishes and the need for senior colleagues and families to be involved.
How can emergency and critical care teams support families facing tragedy at Christmas while caring for themselves? Liz Crowe explores acknowledging grief, responding to the contrast with celebrations at home and helping colleagues make the transition between work and family life, with an accompanying podcast.
Grief at Christmas. Liz Crowe at St.Emlyn’s Read More
Telling a family about a sudden death is a defining moment in emergency care. This personal reflection explores preparing yourself, using clear and compassionate language, allowing space for grief and questions, returning to the family afterwards and supporting colleagues involved in the conversation.
Communicating terrible news: Can we do it better? Read More
Liz Crowe explores the question grieving people often ask: ‘Am I normal?’ Written to accompany her podcast with Iain Beardsell, this reflection describes the varied, unpredictable experience of loss and the importance of connection, gentleness towards yourself and seeking help when needed.
Understanding grief with Liz Crowe Read More
Should families be offered the chance to be present during brain-death evaluation? This 2013 journal club examines a small randomised study of understanding and psychological wellbeing, while considering participation, loss to follow-up and questions about families’ and clinicians’ experiences that the trial could not resolve.
JC: Family presence for Brain Death Evaluation. St.Emlyn’s Read More
