AN event at Worcester's Hive is aiming to encourage people to talk about end of life care.

The Palliative Care Event takes place at The Butts-based library on Thursday, February 4.

It has been organised after the British Medical Association published a report into palliative care, calling for doctors to receive specialist training on how to tell patients they have a terminal illness.

The report found that “without exception, doctors did not find it easy to discuss dying and death with their patients.”

The event is exploring the work of local adult hospices, children's hospices, as well as future planning and where to go for help and information.

It has been organised with the University of Worcester’s Centre for Palliative Care Research, which is run in partnership with St Richard’s Hospice.

Various speakers from the NHS and other hospices will be attending, all aiming to make it more clearer what care for life-limiting illness involves.

Natasha Skeen, who is helping to organise the event, said: “This event will dispel the gloomy idea that palliative care is about people waiting to die but actually is about helping people to live with an illness.

"It’s aimed at starting a conversation about a subject that the British feel uncomfortable having, but one that affects us all."

The event is for the general public, students, those who might become carers, people who have just been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and those who are interested in finding out more.

The event runs from 10.15am to 2.30pm and is free of charge, although it is advised to book in advance by visiting thehiveworcester.org/events.