The Department of Health has launched an End of Life Care Questionnaire entitled ‘Getting your Views’. The survey sets out to collect information and views from the public on the type and quality of end of life care available on the Island and how this area can be improved. The information gathered will feed into the development of the Island’s first ever End of Life Care Strategy. Minister for health, David Anderson MHK who launched the questionnaire said: “Death is of course a very difficult topic for many people, but it really is fundamentally important that we look to address the views and wishes on our approach to end of life care as a community. The questionnaire will provide valuable data and real insight in a taboo topic, allowing the Department and third sector organisations to gain insight into the wishes of the local population in how we approach this delicate matter during our loved ones last months, weeks and days. Our new End of Life Care Strategy will be shaped directly by the views expressed in these questionnaires, so I would encourage all members of the public to please take the time to complete one.” This questionnaire will invite views in a number of areas relating to end of life care, such as where people would choose to die, who would they like with them, determining how common it is for families to have talked about what they want when they die, have wills been made, have the funeral plans been made, what care needs do people have. It is hoped that the work will start to reduce the taboo around what is a difficult topic. The information from the questionnaire will be used to identify the gaps in care and how these can be addressed. The End of Life Care Project is a two year government project which is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support with the aim of producing an Isle of Man End of Life Care Strategy at the end of 2012. This will be achieved by forging close links with the Island’s public, health services, social services and third sector. Kirstie Turner, End of Life Care Project Facilitator said: “Death affects all of us and I am delighted that the Department of Health is so supportive of this initiative. This questionnaire will enable us to gather views on what the public want for their End of Life Care. The data which will be collected from this survey will ultimately provide the information which will be used in the End of Life Care Strategy, which will be published at the end of 2012.” The questionnaire is anonymous and is available as “opt in” choice, and can be obtained by either contacting Kirstie Turner End of Life Care Project Facilitator, or on the web site www.eol.im or by collection from various sites e.g. GP surgeries, chemists, commissioners , libraries, Crookall House, sea terminal, Nobles. - ENDS -