PABBS training – Manchester – December 2019

The PABBS course helped me in a number of ways. It was reassuring to learn the approach I currently take was broadly in keeping with what was being promoted. This was encouraging and important to hear as often, particularly in general practice, you work in isolation and uncertainty about how you handle sensitive tasks can predominate. To see the challenges those bereaved for any reason, but particularly by suicide, presented to all of us in the room that day allowed me to better accept this role we fulfil; a role most around us will never experience. As someone who is carefully watching how primary care in the UK is changing, I was encouraged that I was the only doctor in the room; despite the course having been initially designed with GPs in mind. I was impressed by the skill and compassion demonstrated by my fellow attendees. This left me reassured that we are increasingly going to be able to provide PABBS to those who most need it; as we have recognised it does not need to be given by a doctor. Given the leadership role GPs are asked to take within primary care it would, however, be important that GPs in a senior role were familiar with the skills PABBS provides. I would like to thanks the presenters who were open about their own relationships with the issues we discussed. This empowered them to provide a  credible and empathic approach to the day.