Key resources to help you with a terminal diagnosis

Marie Curie.  While traditionally associated with cancer care, Marie Curie help those living with any terminal illness, and their families. Over 2,000 Marie Curie nurses across the country help to care for people in their own homes, and the organisation is also the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS. The Marie Curie website is an invaluable source of information on topics including palliative care, planning ahead, your rights, feelings, practical support, caring for a loved one, finances, bereavement and much more. The site also offers a helpline by phone or online chat.

Sue Ryder Care. While less detailed than Marie Curie, this site is another good place to find practical resources as well as information on accessing Sue Ryder’s nurses and hospices, particularly valuable for those with neurological conditions.

Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan focus on cancer and their site provides particularly in-depth information for people living with a cancer diagnosis, as well as more general resources. There are almost 4,000 of the well-known Macmillan nurses who work mainly within NHS facilities providing specialist advice and support.

Dying Matters. As well as encouraging people to talk more openly about death and dying, the Dying Matters coalition provides a range of leaflets, DVDs and information about end of life issues, including practical matters (eg wills, funeral planning, organ donation) as well as what to say to those who are dying and how to talk to children about death. The website also includes a very useful ‘Find Me Help’ directory of local organisations who may be able to assist you further.

Other links

Hospice UK. A national charity that brings together over 200 organisations providing hospice care. As well as a useful directory of hospices, they provide information including specific resources on dementia. Hospice UK is merging in 2017 with Dying Matters and the National Council for Palliative Care.

REACT (Rapid Effective Action for Children with potentially Terminal illness). A smaller national charity which specialises in providing practical help for children with life-limiting conditions in financially-disadvantaged families.