BBC airs documentary filmed in Glasgow hospice

Earlier this year a film crew from Tern Television spent two months at the hospice interviewing staff, patients and carers.

Dawn Allan, Chaplain and Bereavement Support Leader at the hospice said: “We as staff and volunteers found the documentary very moving, funny and poignant. They have captured the essence of what we do in palliative care and the patients and families who participated are amazing.

“We feel proud to have been part of the film and feel that our roles and work that we do in connecting with patients and families is shown in a realistic way. It’s good that a film on palliative care (instead of euthanasia and assisted suicide) has been made to show the public that people can experience something worthwhile during their final journey on earth.

“The film enhances patient choices re. whether they choose to die at home or in the hospice and the value placed on the care they give and receive. It’s a mixture of sadness and laughter, but without the laughter, none of us would cope – we believe the film’s a good balance of both. Palliative care doesn’t have to be ‘doom ‘n gloom’. If you get a chance to see it, I hope it inspires and encourages you, because life is short.”

The documentary will also be shown at some stage on BBC 4.

Pictured: Hospice patient James Hemphill and his wife Margaret were both featured in the documentary. Sadly James died during filming. Image by kind permission of BBC One Scotland.

November 2006