In this episode it is my pleasure to catch up with Dr David Oliver. We explore public misunderstanding of terminology, specifically relating to death and dying, and the impact this has on care.

Key messages

• The episode explores public misunderstanding of terminology around death, dying, and Advance Care Planning.

• David Oliver shares his experience as a geriatrician and discusses the impact of media, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the assisted dying bill on public perceptions.

• We discuss widespread misconceptions about Do Not Resuscitate (DNR), palliative care, and proposed assisted dying legislation.

• The importance of clear, plain language and repeated conversations with patients and families is emphasized.

• Barriers to effective Advance Care Planning include family resistance, cultural mistrust, and lack of prior discussions.

• The need for better public information campaigns and upskilling healthcare professionals in communication is highlighted.

• The episode discusses the value of parallel planning—hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

• We discuss the importance of autonomy, control, and legal tools like lasting power of attorney.

• The conversation concludes with a call to normalize Advance Care Planning and improve

Resource

• Royal College of Physicians report: “Talking About Dying”

• ReSPECT 

• BMJ editorials

  • David Oliver: Should advance care planning enter the mainstream? May 2018

  • Public misunderstanding, myths, and misinformation can hamper good end-of-life care May 2025 

  • David Oliver: Detoxifying DNACPR decisions 2020 

• Read more about National Audit of Care at the End of Life 2024

• Publications

  • Protect, respect, connect – decisions about living and dying well during COVID-19 

  • What people need from a DNACPR decision and discussion Findings from focus groups with older people. 

  • 65% of adults are worried about access to palliative care 

  • Assisted dying in practice: International experiences and implications for health and social care

Bio

David Oliver has been an NHS doctor for 36 years and a consultant physician specialising in geriatrics and acute general internal medicine for 27.  He remains a full time clinician on the wards and on acute medical take and as part of this he does look after many patients nearing the end of life. 

He has had a diverse career alongside his clinical work with roles including local medical management and service leadership,  Secretary and President of the British Geriatrics Society, Clinical Vice President of the Royal College of Physicians, Department of Health National Clinical Director for Older People's Services, Visiting Fellow at the King's Fund. Specialist Advisor to the NHS Emergency Care Support Tem. 

He is also a well published academic researcher on issues surrounding care of older people and has been a Senior Lecturer at the University of Reading and Visiting Professor at City University. 

He is a current trustee of the Nuffield Trust health policy think tank and the Royal Society of Medicine 

He has worked in medical journalism. with over 400 columns for the British Medical Journal and columns in a range of specialist healthcare publications and national newspapers and has frequently appeared as a guest on broadcast media

In addition to his medical degree and research doctorate, he has Masters' Degrees in Health Management, Health Leadership and Healthcare Ethics and Law