Over more than thirty years of practice, I’ve encountered death in its many forms. I’ve had to tell distraught parents that their child won’t make it. I’ve had to speak to wives as they become widows, children as they let go of parents, and, just occasionally, be the only company for the dying as they lose the link with life. Over this time, I’ve created my own rituals to accompany the transition from life to death.
Watch Dr Sue Ieraci re-tell A time to die:
A time to die by Dr Sue Ieraci appears in EMERGENCY: Real Stories from Australia’s ED Doctors, available now from Penguin Books Australia.
Dr Sue Ieraci
Sue Ieraci has been a public hospital doctor for over thirty years, including twenty-five as an emergency medicine specialist. While holding many other roles, including management, policy-development, medical regulation and health systems consultancy, she has maintained a clinical role throughout. Sue loves working with children and old people, providing reassurance and comfort, and working alongside young doctors who are just starting their careers. She also loves language and writing – a great outlet for a high-pressure job.
Real ED Stories 