MEMBERS of the public have the chance to hear from doctors about the changing role of palliative care in modern medicine.

The free event is being held by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and will give people the chance to hear from intensive care and palliative care consultants.

David Oxenham, consultant in palliative care, 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 event is being held on Wednesday, December 7 from 6pm to 7.30pm at Prospect House, Aykley Heads Business Park, Durham.

To register for a place or phone 01325-743625 or email cdda-tr.foundation@nhs.net