BACKGROUND
Following the dissemination of the Fair For All Religion and Belief Project document, Religion and Belief Matter – An Information Resource For All Healthcare Staff, it became clear that there was a need for some form of multi-faith and belief orientated resource of prayers, readings, and inspiring / comforting poetry. This request came from Healthcare Chaplains, Faith representatives, the Humanist Society, and both staff and patients.
THE PROJECT
It is proposed to develop such a resource, by forming a collaborative working group of Healthcare Chaplains, Faith and Belief leaders, and representatives from both staff and patients. Use would be made of the already established network of Chaplains, Faith and Belief representatives and Focus Group leaders from the Religion and Belief Project. This would ensure diverse grassroot patient need is matched with the aspirations of Healthcare Chaplains and other staff in delivering inclusive Spiritual Care through such a resource. The Project will be hosted by the Scottish Inter Faith Council, an organisation that has worked collaboratively in Healthcare Chaplaincy Development with NHS Education on the Religion and Belief Project.
PROJECT LEAD
The Project Lead would be Dr. Geoff Lachlan, who ran the fair For All Religion and Belief Project, and who is currently still active in supporting Healthcare Chaplaincy through the Scottish Inter Faith Council in Glasgow.
BENEFICIARIES
Most importantly, this is to be a resource for Healthcare Chaplains and hence it will be crucial to ensure they have the lead in developing it. The resource would also be of benefit to the wider Spiritual Care Team, Chaplaincy Volunteers, Faith representatives and Faith communities. Staff would find the resource useful too, as care of their spirit is also of concern to the NHS. As an inclusive collaborative project between diverse patient groups, Faith and Belief leaders, and frontline NHS staff (Healthcare Chaplains) this would promote good relations across the NHS, and enhance the “Patient Experience.”
FORMAT
Initially to be produced as a book, it will also be developed into CD, DVD, and leaflet formats, with the ability for individual Health Boards to adapt it to their own needs.
TIMESCALE
The Project will run for two years:
Year 1 : Working group to collaborate in the compilation and production of the
resource.
Year 2 : The resource then to be developed into various formats as above.
MANAGEMENT
The Project will be managed by the Programme Director for Healthcare Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care in NHS Education Edinburgh, but hosted by the Scottish Inter Faith Council. This Organisation would provide Faith contact support to the Project.
EXAMPLE OF REQUEST FROM A HEALTHCARE CHAPLAIN:
“I think that a multi faith prayer resource would be a good thing to have. At present I have in the chapel a copy of 'the interfaith prayer book' which is useful but not specifically meant for a health care setting.
I would like to see a digest of prayers and meditations from the different faiths, and from the humanist tradition, designed to address particular things like hope, struggle, questioning, suffering, strength.....as well as joy and thanksgiving. Materials would need to be identified by representatives of the different traditions themselves, who would have a nuanced insight into what a particular prayer meant to those within that tradition. As I write this, I am actually surprised that such a thing doesn’t exist already, it seems so obvious. I like the idea that any person walking into any chapel or quiet room in any major hospital in Scotland could find the same resource.”
(Rev. Georgina Nelson, Healthcare Chaplain, Lothian NHS Board)
EWAN KELLY, NHS Education, Edinburgh.
GEOFF LACHLAN, Scottish Inter Faith Council, Glasgow,
April 2009.
DETAILS OF KEY PERSONNEL INVOLVED
HOST:
PRAMILA KAUR,
Chief Executive,
Scottish Inter Faith Council,
523, Shields Road,
Glasgow,
G41 2RF.
0141 420 6982 pkaur@scottishinterfaithcouncil.org
MANAGER:
EWAN KELLY,
Programme Director for Healthcare Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care,
91, Haymarket Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH12 5HD.
0131 313 8000 ewan.kelly@nes.scot.nhs.uk
HEALTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER:
GEOFF LACHLAN,
Health Development Officer,
Scottish Inter Faith Council,
c/o
19, Kidlaw Crescent,
Alloa,
FK10 2UT.
01259 222782 geoff.faith@talktalk.net
