‘To everything there is a season' – a time to be born and a time to DIE. Let’s talk about death
This webinar is not just aimed at doctors, but also ALL allied health professionals including
ODPs, theatre staff and anaesthetic nurses
Approved for 3 Royal College of Anaesthetists CPD credits
CPD certificates will be awarded to attendees.
You will be able to submit questions to the speaker during the event using the Q&A function on Zoom.
1.30 pm
The Annual General Meeting of the Section of Anaesthesia
Presidential Address of Dr Simona Labor, Consultant Anaesthetist, Salford Care Organisation (NCA) -
To everything there is a season
- to talk a little bit about herself and her experience of a death on the table
2.05 pm
In the quiet after: A time to contemplate and a time to learn - Reflections on death in paediatrics and navigating end-of-life conflict
Dr Nathan Collicott, Paediatric ST6, currently completing sub-specialty training in paediatric intensive care in the North West
Learning objectives:
- Describe the purpose and process of child death review in paediatric care, and identify how anaesthetists can meaningfully contribute to systemic learning after a child's death
- Recognise the psychological impact of paediatric resuscitation on clinicians and outline strategies to support emotional wellbeing and promote healthy team debriefing.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and communication challenges involved in end-of-life decision-making in paediatrics, and discuss managing conflict with families.
2.35 pm
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them
Dr Heather Gallie, Consultant Anaesthetist, Human Factors Lead, Salford Care Organisation (NCA)
Talk synopsis:
A system as multiple interacting and interconnected parts working together so using this analogy, the system is the stones gathered together, the whole. The individual stones can represent the elements of the system.
Key concepts to get across:
- A System is multiple interacting parts working together to produce a whole
- Systems thinking is holistic, it analyses the INTERRACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS between the elements of the system to unpick complexity and understand how the system can function and malfunction.
- Modelling. Models are used to create abstract, representations of the real world.
- Systems thinking uses models to unpick complexity, illustrating the relationships and dependencies of the different elements of the system.
- ACCIMAP is one model based on research by Jens Rasmussen
- SEIPS is another model based on research by Pascal Caryon- these will both be illustrated using “DEATH” as the event.
- Even when death is expected there are a series of actions, tasks and documents to be completed by a variety of staff, there are essential communication processes to occur with and for next of kin. The organisation has to provide a variety of services to support and monitor these tasks and there is a legislative framework in which these sit.
3.05 pm
Short Break
3.15 pm
A holistic response to the aftermath of an unexpected death
Dr Fiona Armstrong, Consultant Anaesthetist at Salford Care Organisation, Northern Care Alliance (NCA) and Lead for Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity.
Talk synopsis:
Fiona will be discussing how the approach to managing an unexpected death/near death have changed to become more holistic for both patient, family and staff. She will be using her newly adopted policy for the Northern Care Alliance to model this.
The elements that are focused upon will be:
- No blame culture
- Balancing documentation/legal considerations with staff wellbeing
- MDT approach to managing further workload for that theatre/environment
- Hot debrief and wellbeing check in
- Incident reporting and follow up on learning
- Cold debrief and ongoing support
3.50 pm
Caring for the Caregivers: Psychological Responses and Support After Tragedy in the Theatre
Dr Colm Gallagher, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Joint Clinical Lead, Salford Care Organisation (NCA)
Talk synopsis:
A patient death in the operating theatre can be a challenging experience for staff, with effects on individual well-being, team dynamics, and professional practice. This session will consider how such events may lead to stress, grief, or trauma, and discuss ways to recognize and respond to these reactions. It will highlight the role of peer support and open communication in building team resilience, while also examining how leadership and organizational responses — through timely acknowledgement, debriefing opportunities, and access to support — can positively influence staff emotional wellbeing.
Learning objectives:
- Recognizing the Impact of experiencing death in theatre: Understanding how traumatic events, such as a death in the theatre, can affect mental and emotional well-being. This includes recognizing signs of stress, grief, and trauma in oneself and colleagues.
- Fostering Peer Support and Team Resilience: Highlighting the importance of peer support within the team and how open communication can strengthen collective resilience.
- The Importance of Leadership and Organisational Response: Emphasizing how timely, compassionate communication and visible support from leadership can significantly influence how staff cope after a death in theatre. This includes acknowledging the event, providing space for reflection or debriefing, and ensuring access to ongoing support services.
4.35 pm
A time for every matter under heaven: lessons from the coroner’s court
Laura Nash, Assistant Coroner, Serjeants’ Inn Chamber
Talk synopsis:
The coroner’s court is where medicine and law most visibly intersect. This talk will explore the role of the coroner’s court, how inquests are conducted, and what clinicians can expect if called to give evidence. Drawing on real case examples, it will highlight recurring themes—communication, documentation, decision-making under pressure—and the lessons they offer for clinical practice. The session aims to demystify the process, reduce professional anxiety, and show how the inquest system can contribute to learning and patient safety.
Learning objectives:
- To understand the role and scope of the coroner’s court, and what is expected of clinicians who are called to give evidence.
- To identify recurring themes from inquests relevant to anaesthetic practice, including communication, documentation, and decision-making.
- To apply lessons from the coroner’s court to strengthen clinical practice, reduce risk, and improve patient safety.
5.10 pm
Close