A MEETING on how people cope with death and die with dignity is being hosted by Dudley Clinical Commissioning  Group  this week as part of the national Dying Matters week.

The meeting is to be chaired by the CCG’s end of life leader, Dr Lucy Martin, at the Brierley Hill Civic Hall on May 16.

The event is part of hundreds of meetings nationally aimed at  raising public awareness about the importance of preparing for death and talking more openly about end of life issues with family and friends.

Dudley CCG is joining with health trusts, hospices and charities across the country to help terminally ill patients and their families.

Dying Matters has been running since 2009, with the aim of helping and encouraging people to talk about dying, death and bereavement.

Explaining the importance of talking openly , Dr Martin said: “Dying is the only thing we can guarantee will happen to every one of us, but we still have reservations about discussing the topic openly.

“Dying Matters week is a chance to help change that, with events in the borough aimed at trying to break down some of the barriers around the subject.

“People have great ideas how we can improve the care of Dudley people when they are approaching the end of their lives, the event we have planned will be a chance for people to air their ideas and thoughts.”

The meeting will begin at 10.30am and run for two hours.