SPIRITUAL SOLACE WITHOUT RELIGION
SUMMARY
Every nurse knows there are moments when people need more than what nursing care can offer. A patient or family struggling to cope with a terminal or lifechanging diagnosis may look for the sort of solace and support that a chaplain can provide. But what about people of no religious faith? Historically the NHS has had no answer for them, except perhaps from professional counsellors or from a chaplain who may be happy to support them but whose beliefs they do not share. That could be changing. Recent guidance from NHS England says it is important that people who do not belong to a religion or belief ‘can access and fully utilise chaplaincy services’. This has been welcomed by the British Humanist Association (BHA). Head of pastoral support David Savage says: ‘Audits at a major London hospital show that despite nearly a quarter to a half of all patients not being religious, only 4% of visits (from the
ISTOCKPHOTO
The assumption that chaplains’ services are only for religious patients is being challenged by a hospital initiative, writes Alison Moore
existing chaplaincy) were to these patients.’ The BHA is starting to build a network of volunteers with the capability to provide good pastoral care. In one part of the country there are plans to create a new role to meet the needs of non-religious people. The Leicester Hospitals Charity has promised £38,000 in
Patients who have no religious faith may not have their needs met by traditional chaplaincy services. In a development supported by recent guidance from NHS England, a Leicester charity is providing funding for a non-religious chaplain to work in the city’s hospitals. Author Alison Moore is a freelance journalist
funding for a non-religious chaplain to work in the city’s main hospitals. The funding should cover all the costs – salary, training and employers’ costs – for either a full-time chaplain for one year or a part-time chaplain for two, after which their input will be evaluated. Mark Burleigh, head of chaplaincy and bereavement services at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, says the trust already has chaplains from a number of faiths who are happy to talk to patients from a non-religious background. A humanist
‘celebrant’ has also been a voluntary member of the team for the past nine years. However, concerns remained that the needs of non-believers were still not being met, especially if they required ongoing support. ‘We are about half as likely to maintain contact with someone non-religious,’ Mr Burleigh says. The chaplaincy is asking people what qualifications and experience they think a potential non-religious team member should have, and is planning an open meeting.
Nursing response
Mr Burleigh admits he has no opinion on whether the non-religious chaplain has to be an atheist, and says another question being considered is whether it is appropriate for them to be called a chaplain. Relevant experience for the new role could include counselling, a philosophy degree, or a background in health care. What could this mean for nurses? Nurses may be cautious about mentioning their own religion – or lack of it – but the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s code of conduct says they should respond to the psychological needs of patients and their families. Many would argue this includes putting some patients in touch with the chaplaincy service. ‘I hope that it will make it easier for nurses to offer something to patients. There is a bit of a barrier for nurses to introduce the concept of religion,’ says Mr Burleigh. ‘If they can say the chaplain is here for non-religious people too, it will make things easier for them’ NS The RCN has a downloadable booklet on spirituality and the role of the nurse at tinyurl.com/ll6cgo4
NURSING aprilNo 8 other :: vol uses 29 no 32 :: permission. 2015 23 DownloadedSTANDARD from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 21, 2015. For personal use only. without Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
SUMMARY
Every nurse knows there are moments when people need more than what nursing care can offer. A patient or family struggling to cope with a terminal or lifechanging diagnosis may look for the sort of solace and support that a chaplain can provide. But what about people of no religious faith? Historically the NHS has had no answer for them, except perhaps from professional counsellors or from a chaplain who may be happy to support them but whose beliefs they do not share. That could be changing. Recent guidance from NHS England says it is important that people who do not belong to a religion or belief ‘can access and fully utilise chaplaincy services’. This has been welcomed by the British Humanist Association (BHA). Head of pastoral support David Savage says: ‘Audits at a major London hospital show that despite nearly a quarter to a half of all patients not being religious, only 4% of visits (from the
ISTOCKPHOTO
The assumption that chaplains’ services are only for religious patients is being challenged by a hospital initiative, writes Alison Moore
existing chaplaincy) were to these patients.’ The BHA is starting to build a network of volunteers with the capability to provide good pastoral care. In one part of the country there are plans to create a new role to meet the needs of non-religious people. The Leicester Hospitals Charity has promised £38,000 in
Patients who have no religious faith may not have their needs met by traditional chaplaincy services. In a development supported by recent guidance from NHS England, a Leicester charity is providing funding for a non-religious chaplain to work in the city’s hospitals. Author Alison Moore is a freelance journalist
funding for a non-religious chaplain to work in the city’s main hospitals. The funding should cover all the costs – salary, training and employers’ costs – for either a full-time chaplain for one year or a part-time chaplain for two, after which their input will be evaluated. Mark Burleigh, head of chaplaincy and bereavement services at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, says the trust already has chaplains from a number of faiths who are happy to talk to patients from a non-religious background. A humanist
‘celebrant’ has also been a voluntary member of the team for the past nine years. However, concerns remained that the needs of non-believers were still not being met, especially if they required ongoing support. ‘We are about half as likely to maintain contact with someone non-religious,’ Mr Burleigh says. The chaplaincy is asking people what qualifications and experience they think a potential non-religious team member should have, and is planning an open meeting.
Nursing response
Mr Burleigh admits he has no opinion on whether the non-religious chaplain has to be an atheist, and says another question being considered is whether it is appropriate for them to be called a chaplain. Relevant experience for the new role could include counselling, a philosophy degree, or a background in health care. What could this mean for nurses? Nurses may be cautious about mentioning their own religion – or lack of it – but the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s code of conduct says they should respond to the psychological needs of patients and their families. Many would argue this includes putting some patients in touch with the chaplaincy service. ‘I hope that it will make it easier for nurses to offer something to patients. There is a bit of a barrier for nurses to introduce the concept of religion,’ says Mr Burleigh. ‘If they can say the chaplain is here for non-religious people too, it will make things easier for them’ NS The RCN has a downloadable booklet on spirituality and the role of the nurse at tinyurl.com/ll6cgo4
NURSING aprilNo 8 other :: vol uses 29 no 32 :: permission. 2015 23 DownloadedSTANDARD from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 21, 2015. For personal use only. without Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
