Ask the Specialist: stories to inspire better healthcare

8. The “D word”, sorry business and smoking ceremonies

Season 1 Episode 8

Discussing end-of-life care can be very challenging—what words should you use? Can you call someone by their name? In this episode, the Specialists discuss the language to use before and after someone passes away, and the policies and procedures regarding sorry business and smoking ceremonies.

This is Ask the Specialist, and in our podcast, the Specialists are First Nations leaders from across northern Australia. In this episode, Arrernte, Walpiri and Yolŋu leaders answer some of the burning questions from healthcare providers about how best to deliver culturally safe palliative care to First Nations peoples in the Northern Territory. 

The Specialists are: Rarrtjiwuy Melanie Herdman, Jimmy Langdon, Sabella Kngwarraye Turner and Amelia Kngwarraye Turner. 

Hosts: Kelly Clark from Danila Dilba Health Service and Christine Sanderson from NT Health.

Ask the Specialist: stories to inspire better healthcare was created by Vicki Kerrigan.