The latest in a series of free events hosted by a local NHS Trust for its members will focus on two key services. Experts from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust will discuss how they look after patients in need of intensive care and the changing role of palliative care in modern medicine. Consultant in intensive care medicine and anaesthesia, Dr Matt Wayman, said, “In intensive care, we’re looking after people who are very ill,  which often involves collaboration between specialists from several areas and highly trained nurses caring for patients on a one to one basis.  Often there is a lot of equipment around the patient which can be very alarming and distressing for relatives, who may also be coming to terms with the shock of finding their loved one so poorly.  Patients themselves often only find out how unwell they have been, and for how long, as they begin to recover.  Helping them through this shock and the start of rehabilitation is a key part of our role.” Consultant in palliative care, Dr David Oxenham, said, “Care at the very end of life isn’t a subject most people want to think about but there comes a time in everyone’s life when medicine, and the role of the doctor, is much more about care rather than cure or treatment. Palliative care starts to be relevant at this time.  Many people think of palliative care as something which is only important to people with cancer or at the very end of life whereas palliative care helps many people with other illnesses and sometimes for months or years.   “I’ll be talking about how thinking about palliative care earlier and talking about decisions in advance may be really helpful.” The free event is on Wednesday, 7 December 2016, 6.00 – 7.30pm, at Prospect House, Aykley Heads Business Park, Durham.  It’s aimed at those without a medical background who want to find out more, including anyone considering a career in health care.  Trust membership is free to anyone over 14, living locally and there will be an opportunity to become a member, on the night. To register for a place or find out more phone: 01325 743625 or email: cdda-tr.foundation@ nhs.net