Are we making progress in providing empathetic end of life care?

The conversation around end-of-life care is one of the most profound and challenging our society faces. This talk will navigate the complex ethical, legal, and emotional landscape of assisted dying and its relationship with palliative care through a humanist lens—one that places human dignity, reason, and compassion at its core.
The debate is often framed as a conflict of absolutes. Dr. Cleal will move beyond that binary, arguing that our focus should be on how society can best uphold the autonomy of the individual while ensuring every person has access to the highest standard of care and dignity. We will explore how an ethical framework grounded in human values can guide us toward policies that respect personal choice and alleviate suffering.