‘Lively music; footballers; strictly no black dress’

No two funerals will ever be the same in Lambeth and Southwark, but ask people what they want at the end of life and the answers are more familiar. A unique collection of people's views on death, dying and end of life care is revealed in a new film as part of work to improve care for the dying in Lambeth and Southwark.

'The View From the Street' was commissioned by the Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme as part of a campaign to raise awareness about end of life care and deliver high quality services for people who are dying at home or in hospital. Parents, teenagers and two sisters were among those asked questions including what funeral they wanted, who they had talked to about it and whether they had made plans for end of life.

Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark, Director, Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme said: "Death and dying can often be seen as taboo subjects, so we wanted to find out what people really thought about end of life care in Lambeth and Southwark. The film shows they do want to talk about these issues and understand that conversations about death today will help them and their families plan for the future.

"Working with patients, carers and service users is a vital part of our commitment to improve end of life care. People can watch the film and let us know what they think needs to be done to deliver exceptional care for people who are dying."

In Lambeth and Southwark 62 per cent of people die in hospital, but research shows that up to 74 per cent would prefer to die at home (source National End of Life Care Strategy, 2008). Work since the launch of the programme in June 2008, demonstrates that being able to talk about their preferences for end of life increases the chance that people's wishes are met.

The film shows how the community's multicultural mix, leads to a range of attitudes towards death. One woman describes the strong family support from her native Nigeria, while another shopper talks about the sense of occasion around funerals in Ireland. Quoting a famous American director and actor, one man admitted, "I am a bit like Woody Allen, I am not afraid of death I just don't want to be around when it happens."  The comments suggest that people agree there is a need to talk about end of life. One young man said, "If you are not scared about death then you can live your life to the full."

We are working in partnership with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust through the Modernisation Initiative to improve end of life care for people with complex mental health needs and their carers.

There are around 3,000 people living with dementia in Lambeth and Southwark and we are committed to improving end of life care wherever they use services.

Professor Sube Banerjee (Professor of Mental Health and Ageing and Clinical Director Mental Health for Older Adults) is clinical lead for the work to develop ways of training and supporting staff to discuss advance care plans for people who have just been diagnosed with dementia.

This will enable people with dementia to plan for the future when they still have the ability to let their choices be known.  A mental health end of life care pathway gives clear guidance for staff in SLaM specialist care units to provide end of life care by identifying people who are placed on the pathway and supporting advance care planning conversations with residents, their families and carers.

The film was made by arts charity Rosetta Life. The Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme is working with Rosetta Life's team of professional artists in a unique collaboration with the community to raise awareness about death, dying and exceptional end of life care. Click here To watch 'The View From the Street' and send your comments to MIendoflifecare@gstt.nhs.uk

The Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme is committed to improving services in Lambeth and Southwark so more people have a 'good death'.

The Modernisation Initiative is funded by the Guy's & St Thomas' Charity with support from the King's College Hospital Charity and South London and Maudsley Charitable Funds. Click here for more information