Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Opinion Primary Colour

Helen Salisbury: Death—the great leveller?

BMJ 2022; 378 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o2202 (Published 13 September 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;378:o2202

Rapid Response:

Re: Helen Salisbury: Death—the great leveller? Or an unfortunate reminder?

Dear Editor,

It is also important to note that the subject matter of a good death and palliative care are discussions that are taboo, even to this day. Most people find themselves avoiding such topics of conversation, until they or their loved ones are faced with the harsh reality of our transience. A particularly important example to note has been the pandemic, which resulted in the loss of millions of lives. It was a crucial moment for palliative care, as it became an essential part of medical practice during the pandemic. As Helen Salisbury mentioned, for most people, the concept of palliative care majorly encompassed patients with cancer, as opposed to the vast amount of patients with various other medical conditions. The worldwide spread of the Coronavirus, and its detrimental effects on our health, has required people to have to make unexpectedly difficult decisions about end-of-life care. Covid-19 unquestionably shed light on the discrepancies faced in the provision of healthcare worldwide, when it came to medical treatment and end-of-life care. It was an unfortunate reminder that despite access to healthcare being a human right, it is still a luxury that very few can afford.

Competing interests: No competing interests

15 November 2022
Maariyah J Hussain
6th Year Medical Student (Trainee/FY1 equivalent)
Medical University of Pleven
1, Saint Kliment Ohridski Street, 5800 Pleven