John MacArtney
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johnmacartney.bsky.social
John MacArtney
@johnmacartney.bsky.social
860 followers 320 following 85 posts
Marie Curie Associate Professor
Sociologist of dying, palliative and end-of-life care, and bereavement.
https://profiles.warwick.ac.uk/u1772723-john-macartney
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johnmacartney.bsky.social
John MacArtney @johnmacartney.bsky.social · Feb 24
Come along to hear us discuss how social sciences and humanities can be better involved in research into dying, palliative and end-of-life care.

The report we will be discussing is available here: healthopenresearch.org/documents/7-1
johnmacartney.bsky.social
We still want to speak with hospices about supporting men's wellbeing at the end of life.

We found that some men who try hospice services say it is "not for me".

But hospice men's sheds were described as "an essential part of the service".

Find out how to start a shed below!

#Hospices #PEOLC
johnmacartney.bsky.social John MacArtney @johnmacartney.bsky.social · Jun 3
*FAO all hospices!*

We want to help you set-up and develop a Men's Shed support group.

For more information please watch our short presentation (25mins) explaining what Men's Sheds are, the benefits they bring, and how we are able to help you start your own!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ZY...
How to start a Men's Shed in your hospice
YouTube video by Marie Curie
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by John MacArtney
mariecurieeolc.bsky.social
Researchers – Three new commissioned research calls are open for application (below)

The aim is for evidence from these projects to inform our policy and campaigns activities.
Calls close Friday 12th December 2025 at 5pm. Details can be found on our website - www.mariecurie.org.uk/research-and...
An image of a question mark with the text - Three new calls for commissioned research projects. Applications close December 12th 2025
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Reposted by John MacArtney
amaranwosu.bsky.social
Delighted to announce that we will launch the Palliative Care Journal Club Toolkit resource for #PalliativeCare professionals. The event will take place on at Liverpool Science Park, on Wednesday 3rd December 2025, from 1000 - 1500.

Register here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-of-...

#hapc
Launch of the Palliative Care Journal Club Toolkit
Join us for the launch of the Palliative Care Journal Club Toolkit, with support from Marie Curie - it's going to be a great event!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
hazelmarzetti.bsky.social
🌈 Do you know anyone passionate about researching LGBTQ+ suicide, suicide prevention and suicide bereavement, experienced in qualitative methods, and looking for work?

Send them my way because I'm recruiting for a post-doctoral research fellow!

elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Research Fellow (Rain within the Rainbow)
Post-doctoral Research Fellow (Rain Within the Rainbow) working on the Rain Within the Rainbow: Understanding LGBTQ+ suicide and suicide prevention in the UK through the life course project using qual...
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
desfitzgerald.bsky.social
Unpopular maybe, but we should firmly resist this kind of banal medicalization of cultural and aesthetic experience. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Picture of health: going to art galleries can improve wellbeing, study reveals
Viewing original works of art can relieve stress, cut heart disease risk and boost immune system, first study of its kind finds
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
anavaldi.bsky.social
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:

- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 22, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
cvcev.bsky.social
"Something as simple as breathing in shared indoor spaces has become a barrier to accessibility and inclusion for millions of people, and it's time to change that!"
September 23, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Reposted by John MacArtney
dianateggi.bsky.social
🚨🚨🚨The CfP for the 2025 BSA #Death, #Dying and #Bereavement symposium is now open! This year's theme is #Care and #Caring, and the University of Nottingham is hosting us. Please submit your abstracts by Tuesday 30th September to bsaddb@gmail.com. We're looking forward to reading them!
September 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by John MacArtney
ericaborgstrom.bsky.social
Are you interested in death, dying, loss, grief, and related topics, from historical studies to current issues? Then I'd recommend following @openthanatology.bsky.social and keeping an eye out for resources it shares.
September 15, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
desfitzgerald.bsky.social
The relentless contempt, disgust, even hate that successive UK governments exhibit for the country's (hitherto) wildly successful HE sector remains one of the most baffling sub-plots of a generally insane age.
September 12, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
desfitzgerald.bsky.social
I spoke to the Irish Times for this very good and rounded piece on the real-world effects of C***GPT in the humanities classroom: www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...
‘It’s a monster’: How generative AI is forcing university professors to rethink learning
As students turn to ChatGPT, educators warn that critical thinking, academic integrity and the future of the humanities are at stake
www.irishtimes.com
September 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
ericaborgstrom.bsky.social
Was asked today to comment on how professionals learn about palliative care, & was struck by how the tensions I wrote about a decade ago still resonate with current trainees. Like how to 'care' but 'not too much' and wanting to still 'fix' something in the face of death. Links to papers in comments
September 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
tuffrey-wijne.com
The new LeDeR report is now available. The 2023 annual report analyses the deaths of 3,556 people with a learning disability & autistic people who died in 2023. The work is part of efforts to reduce health inequalities.

Access here: kcl.ac.uk/research/leder
Learning from Lives and Deaths – people with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR)
The latest annual LeDeR report in collaboration with our academic partners on behalf of NHS England.
kcl.ac.uk
September 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by John MacArtney
tuffrey-wijne.com
Easy read and accessible versions of the LeDeR 2023 report are available to ensure findings reach everyone. These materials make research accessible to people with a learning disability, their families, and carers.

Here is the video made by the Staying Alive and Well Group

youtu.be/qRUdWqz20jg
LeDeR 2023 REPORT
YouTube video by Staying Alive and Well
youtu.be
September 2, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by John MacArtney
tuffrey-wijne.com
“It’s very important that people read this report”. Find it here: www.kcl.ac.uk/research/leder
September 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by John MacArtney
tuffrey-wijne.com
Be one of the first to order. Launching today!

(UK only - other countries can still freely download and print at home)

Order link is in this short video. Please share!

youtu.be/VrntRIJCdXY?...

@andreabruun.bsky.social @mariecurieuk.bsky.social
FREE end of life care planning toolkit sent to your door
YouTube video by Victoria & Stuart Project
youtu.be
September 1, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
deathandculture.bsky.social
Do join us for a discussion about death hosted by Bethan Michael-Fox and me
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-up-gr...
Meet Up Group for Death and Culture Researchers
A group for anyone engaged in researching death and culture, hosted by the Death and Culture Network (DaCNet) at the University of York
www.eventbrite.co.uk
August 28, 2025 at 9:45 AM
johnmacartney.bsky.social
Worth noting this is a *hybrid* conference - and one of the best I have attended online too.

Might just be a coincidence that a conference on dying and death is so practically attuned to the diversity, climate and airborne disease challenges facing academia 👀
#DDD17
ddd17-2025.bsky.social ddd17-2025.bsky.social @ddd17-2025.bsky.social · Aug 27
DDD17 - The Politics of Death conference is officially on its way with nearly 400 participants from 41 countries.

Dr Kami Fletcher set the stage for an amazing conference with her keynote lecture on the power of African American mourning rituals.
August 28, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
mariecurieeolc.bsky.social
Improving hospital discharge is one of the Top 24 JLA priorities for palliative and end of life care research - mariecurie.org.uk/blog/researc...
It is also a key part of our recent Research Grants Scheme - www.mariecurie.org.uk/research-and...
August 21, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
mariecurieeolc.bsky.social
The government's 10 Year Health Plan for England highlights the need to shift care from hospital to community. Discharge from specialist palliative care in hospital to community services and primary care is a poorly understood transition. Yet it is a key part of the end of life experience for many.
August 21, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
mariecurieeolc.bsky.social
Dr Katharine Weetman, Marie Curie Associate Professor Dr John MacArtney and team have recently published findings on the challenges posing current discharge processes, identifying patient experiences and highlighting suggestions for healthcare professionals, summarised below.
August 21, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by John MacArtney
johnmacartney.bsky.social
Latest paper with Katherine Weetman et al. on improving specialist palliative care discharge:
bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....

@nihr.bsky.social @warwickmed.bsky.social @mariecurieeolc.bsky.social @mariecurieuk.bsky.social @hospiceuk.bsky.social @nhscovwarksicb.bsky.social

1/
Abstract Background: Patients who have received specialist intervention during periods of complex symptom and palliative care needs (e.g. pain crisis) may be discharged from specialist palliative care services to primary care. Despite such discharges being reasonably common, little is known about what happens during this process. We sought to explore patient, carer and healthcare professional experiences, identifying ways to improve this crucial and time-sensitive part of the healthcare journey. Methods: A qualitative interview study designed using an interpretive approach and reflexive thematic analysis methods. Sampling was purposive across six specialist palliative care sites (hospitals and hospices) and six general practices. Results: A total of 38 participants took part in interviews:15 patients, 8 carers and 15 primary care professionals. Two overarching key themes were developed. The first described the multiple ways that ‘discharge’ was understood depending on the setting and circumstances of the patient. The second explored what was associated with better or worse transitions to primary care. Discharge communications that were accurate and complete were described as effective whereby written information reinforced verbal instructions and acted as a reminder. Participant suggestions for improving these discharge communications included: incorporating the patient’s palliative care preferences (e.g. advanced directives); offering letters to patients and, where appropriate, carers; providing post-discharge follow-up and contact details; ensuring medication instructions are accessible to patients and carers. Conclusions: Current specialist palliative care discharge communications risk confusion, distress, and increased workload post-discharge. The study identified numerous suggestions professionals could take to improve this process. Title: Improving specialist palliative care discharges from hospitals and hospices to community settings: a qualitative interview study of the communication experiences of patients, carers, and primary care professionals Authors: Katharine Weetman, Catherine Grimley, Cara Bailey, Celia J. Bernstein, Jeremy Dale, Aprella Fitch, Sarah Mitchell, Rumandeep Tiwana & John I. MacArtney Journal: BMC Palliative Care, volume 24, Article number: 214 (2025)
August 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
johnmacartney.bsky.social
Latest paper with Katherine Weetman et al. on improving specialist palliative care discharge:
bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....

@nihr.bsky.social @warwickmed.bsky.social @mariecurieeolc.bsky.social @mariecurieuk.bsky.social @hospiceuk.bsky.social @nhscovwarksicb.bsky.social

1/
Abstract Background: Patients who have received specialist intervention during periods of complex symptom and palliative care needs (e.g. pain crisis) may be discharged from specialist palliative care services to primary care. Despite such discharges being reasonably common, little is known about what happens during this process. We sought to explore patient, carer and healthcare professional experiences, identifying ways to improve this crucial and time-sensitive part of the healthcare journey. Methods: A qualitative interview study designed using an interpretive approach and reflexive thematic analysis methods. Sampling was purposive across six specialist palliative care sites (hospitals and hospices) and six general practices. Results: A total of 38 participants took part in interviews:15 patients, 8 carers and 15 primary care professionals. Two overarching key themes were developed. The first described the multiple ways that ‘discharge’ was understood depending on the setting and circumstances of the patient. The second explored what was associated with better or worse transitions to primary care. Discharge communications that were accurate and complete were described as effective whereby written information reinforced verbal instructions and acted as a reminder. Participant suggestions for improving these discharge communications included: incorporating the patient’s palliative care preferences (e.g. advanced directives); offering letters to patients and, where appropriate, carers; providing post-discharge follow-up and contact details; ensuring medication instructions are accessible to patients and carers. Conclusions: Current specialist palliative care discharge communications risk confusion, distress, and increased workload post-discharge. The study identified numerous suggestions professionals could take to improve this process. Title: Improving specialist palliative care discharges from hospitals and hospices to community settings: a qualitative interview study of the communication experiences of patients, carers, and primary care professionals Authors: Katharine Weetman, Catherine Grimley, Cara Bailey, Celia J. Bernstein, Jeremy Dale, Aprella Fitch, Sarah Mitchell, Rumandeep Tiwana & John I. MacArtney Journal: BMC Palliative Care, volume 24, Article number: 214 (2025)
August 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by John MacArtney
drinfosec.bsky.social
🎯🎯🎯 article on #Covid's impact on the immune system, written by @nicktsergas.ca in TheBMJ:

Why scientists are rethinking the immune effects of SARS-CoV-2 | The BMJ (Aug 19, 2025)
www.bmj.com/content/390/...
Why scientists are rethinking the immune effects of SARS-CoV-2
“Immunity debt,” a theory to explain the global surge in non-covid infections since pandemic restrictions were lifted, is increasingly being challenged by emerging evidence. Nick Tsergas reports Myco...
www.bmj.com
August 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by John MacArtney
broadwaybabyto.bsky.social
The CSA is pushing for mandatory respirators in healthcare settings, something which should have happened years ago.

Covid changed the game, and we must adapt.

Once upon a time handwashing wasn’t standard in hospitals.

Gloves weren’t standard until the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 🧵
August 13, 2025 at 12:00 AM