Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy Volume 5 No 1 May 2002

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Scottish Journal
of
Healthcare Chaplaincy

Volume 5 No. 1 May 2002

EDITORIAL

These are stirring times for healthcare chaplains. The signs are that Spirituality, that elusive, difficult to define Something which chaplains have long discerned and nurtured both within individuals and institutions, is at last being accorded its rightful importance as a determinant of health, and has moved to a prominent position in the healthcare agenda for the new millennium. Hence the air of excitement, perhaps tinged with a measure of apprehension, which last November’s conference has engendered. Our contributors on this theme discuss ongoing research into the nature of spirituality and spiritual care, and the implications which follow from its new importance in healthcare policy, implications for the role of chaplains themselves, for the way in which healthcare is understood and delivered, and for the value accorded to those who deliver it.

Chaplaincy is poised for a quantum leap; no longer the realm of the gifted amateur working at the margins of the institution, catering to the needs of the few, but a service provided by trained and accountable professionals, fully integrated and part of the healthcare team, who offer spiritual care to all ; in one sense the chaplain will be expert, and yet at the same time one who affirms the shared nature of the task of spiritual care.

This larger than usual edition of the journal falls naturally into two parts, the first of which acknowledges the potential importance of the conference which took place in November, on the theme ‘Spirituality in Health and Community Care.’ We are de-lighted that Chris Levison, Healthcare chaplaincy training and development officer and Spiritual care coordinator for Scotland (a remit which itself suggests the vitality, momentum and perceived importance of the current spirituality debate within healthcare), has agreed to provide us with a guest editorial by way of an introduction to part one. His perceptive comment and analysis of the issues and contributions will, we hope, help all of us, especially those who were not at the conference, to gain some kind of perspective on where we are now and where we want to go. We further hope that you, our readers, will be sufficiently engaged in the debate to write to us with views and comments.

In part two, Alastair Campbell allows us to hear the voice of the patient. In his discussion of an empirical investigation of virtue and illness, the first of its kind, he gives us an insight into patients’ responses to chronic illness, and into the qualities of character which they identify as enabling purposeful living. Among other reflections upon the nature of the pastoral task as it takes shape in response to this re-search, he provides us with a timely reminder of its‘ very simplicity’, and how just ‘being there’ can be a real ally of Virtue, combating the isolation and self absorption which patients recognise as damaging to the preservation of good relationships. Notwithstanding the complexities of policy and role, the current debates and the changes which the future will surely bring, there is indeed a simplicity, a humanity, at the heart of the task of chaplaincy, which must be preserved.

Healthcare chaplains have a foot in both camps:- that of the faith tradition to which they belong, and that of the secular world of modern healthcare. Both Derek Murray and Yvonne Hendrie touch upon this, and reflect for us upon the tensions, hopefully creative, which can arise, and upon the insights which each can offer to the other. How appropriate too, as chaplaincy contemplates its future direction, to have Derek’s overview of his more than twenty years as a hospice chaplain. Appropriate too, that George Beuken, in his second article, reminds us that all our practice as chaplains needs to have a firm underpinning of theological reflection, and a deep rootedness in the life of faith.

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CONTENTS

GUEST EDITORIAL:

NATIONAL CONFERENCE REVIEW
SPIRITUALITY IN HEALTH AND COMMUNITY CARE
Chris Levison
Healthcare Chaplaincy Training and Development Officer
and Spiritual Care Co-ordinator for Scotland

Pages 2-3

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THE SPIRITUALITY OF ADULTS IN BRITAIN – RECENT RESEARCH
David Hay
Extract of a paper presented to the Spirituality in Health and Community Care conference at Stirling Management Centre, Scotland, on 15-16 November 2001

Pages 4-9

David Hay directed the Religious Experience Research Centre set up by Alister Hardy in Oxford. He recently retired as Reader in Spiritual Education at Nottingham University

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SPIRITUALITY – A SCOTTISH HEALTHCARE ISSUE
Desmond Ryan
Extract of a paper presented to the Spirituality in Health and Community Care confer-ence at Stirling Management Centre, Scotland, on 15-16 November 2001

Pages 10-14

Desmond Ryan is co-founder of Spirited Scotland and Senior Research Fellow, Department of Nursing Studies, University of Edinburgh. The work leading up to this paper received funding from the NHS in Scotland. The views expressed are entirely his own.

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PUTTING SPIRITUAL CARE AT THE CENTRE OF THE NHS
Allison Elliot
The author presents a report as an overview of the Spirituality in Health and Community Care conference at Stirling Management Centre, Scotland, on 15-16 November 2001

Pages 15-19

Allison Elliot is Associate Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at the University of Edinburgh

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REVISED GUIDELINES ON CHAPLAINCY AND SPIRITUAL CARE
IN THE NHS
SYNOPSIS OF THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY
Stewart McGregor
The Working Party Report prepared for the Scottish Executive Health Department will form the basis of new guidelines for spiritual care and chaplaincy in the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. It, is summarised by the working party convener.

Pages 20-23

Stewart McGregor, retired Whole-time Chaplain, to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, is at the time of writing Convenor of the Hospitals, Healthcare and Universities sub-committee of the Church of Scotland’s Board of National Mission, Acting convener of the Healthcare Chaplaincy Training and Development Group and was Convener of the Working Party which produced the report.

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SPEECH DELIVERED BY MALCOLM CHISHOLM, MSP,
AT THE 'SPIRITUAL CARE IN THE NHS' CONFERENCE
ON 16 NOVEMBER 2001

Pages 24-26

Malcolm Chisholm MSP presented this speech as Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care and is now Minister for Health and Community Care. (MSP – Member of the Scottish Parliament)

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WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Chris Levison
Reflecting on the conference presentations, speeches and reports, the Healthcare Chap-laincy Training and Development Officer and Spiritual Care Co-ordinator for Scotland looks to the future.

Pages 27-28

Chris Levison, Healthcare Chaplaincy Training and Development Officer and Spiritual Care Co-ordinator for Scotland.

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A VIRTUOUS PATIENT?
VIRTUE FROM THE PATIENT’S PERSPECTIVE.
Alastair V Campbell, Teresa Swift

Pages 29-35

This paper shifts the focus of biomedical ethics away from the dilemmas of doctors and towards patients and their responses to chronic illness. It explores the possible virtues needed to flourish despite ongoing pain and disability. An empirical study, investigating patients' perspectives on the role of character in illness, revealed that patients valued qualities such as courage, realism, self-respect, a sense of humour, hope and the ability to maintain good relationships with others. Such qualities may characterise the "virtuous patient". These findings carry a number of practical implications for the pastoral care of those suffering from chronic illnesses. These include working towards the empowerment of patients, and an appreciation of the healing force of humour and the value of communication, all of which assist patients in their efforts to maintain their self-respect, their sense of a role in their community, and a sense of purpose in their lives.

Key Words: virtue, ethics, patients, chronic illness, pastoral care.

Alastair Campbell is Professor of Ethics in medicine and Director of the Centre for Ethics in Medicine at the University of Bristol. Teresa Swift is Research officer at the Centre for Ethics in Medicine,
University of Bristol.

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PALLIATIVE CARE : A THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION
SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING & PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK
George Beuken

Pages 36-40

In the second of his articles, the author focuses on pastoral practice within the Roman Catholic community. Such practice involves a right use of the sacrament of anointing, as part of whole person care; a holistic response to a situation of total pain in a palliative setting. Carers need the personal and theological maturity to respond to the untidiness of life and the complexities of offering care without a subtle exercise of power. The aim is to offer love without preconditions, thus making Christ present to the sufferer. Such care is a calling for both clergy and laity, and must be theologically based in an understanding of the Church as the sacrament of Christ.

Key Words: sacrament; Roman Catholic; anointing; pastoral care; hospice; palliative care.

George Beuken is Pastoral & Spiritual Director at St. Andrew’s Hospice , Airdrie

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REFLECTIONS ON CHAPLAINCY IN A HOSPICE: 1977-2001.
TEMPORA MUTANTUR, NOS ET MUTAMUR IN ILLIS.
Derek Murray

Pages 41-43

In this personal and open reflection the author reflects on the part-time beginnings of his chaplaincy. He goes on to describe the challenge of bringing a ‘Church’ to understand the depth and variety of chaplaincy, and how educating students for the ministry of different Christian denominations was a natural and rewarding development. With grace the author describes his own personal journey of change in regard to his understanding of ecumenism, God, life and death.

Derek Murray was chaplain at St. Columba’s Hospice, Edinburgh. 1977-2001.

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HEALTHCARE CHAPLAINCY: TAKING OUR WORK TO CHURCH
Yvonne Hendrie

Pages 44-46

The Christian church as traditionally constituted is facing grave decline. For many, the church is an inhospitable place in which to voice questions and to express pain. Do hospital chaplains have a role to play in creating a church in which people feel more able to express the varieties of their spiritual journey? The author suggests three ways in which chaplains might take their work to church: - by enabling more meaningful and varied forms of worship; by sharing their experience of honestly meeting people where they are; by encouraging a sense of ‘sacred space’.

Keywords : church; hospital chaplain; spirituality; sacred space.

Yvonne Hendrie
is part-time Chaplain/Spiritual Care Co-ordinator, Roxburghe House, Dundee

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BOOK REVIEWS

Pages 47-55

A selection of current books, and books soon to be published, are reviewed by professionals with hands on experience of healthcare and education.

Grief, Mourning and Death Ritual
Hockey J., Katz J., and Small N. (eds.)
ISBN 0-335-20501-1
Open University Press

Working with Older People and their Families
‘Key Issues in policy and practice’
Open University Press

Communication and the care of people with dementia
Killick J. and Allan K.
ISBN 0335207758
Open University Press

Groups: A guide to small groupwork in healthcare management, education and research
Elwyn, G., Greenhalgh, T & MacFarlane, F.,
ISBN 1-85775-400 X
Radcliffe Medical Press Ltd., Oxon

Literature in Medicine: The Doctor’s companion to the classics
Salinsky J
ISBN 1-85775-535-9
Radcliffe Medical Press

The Doctor’s Communication Handbook, third edition
Tate P.
ISBN 1-85775-550-2
Radcliffe

Treating people with depression: a practical guide for primary care
Wilkinson G., Moore B., and Moore P.
ISBN 1 85775 391 7 Price ?
Radcliffe Medical Press

Bibliotherapy for Bereaved Children
Jones E.H.
ISBN 1-84310-004-5
Jessica Kingsley

Finding a Way Through When Someone Has Died
Mood P. & Whittaker L.
ISBN 1-85302-920-3
Jessica Kingsley

On Death, Dying and Not Dying.
Houghton P.
ISBN 1-84310-020-7
Jessica Kingsley

The Intensive Care Unit: What Every Family Needs to Know
Steven R Mohnssen M.D.
ISBN 1 – 885003 – 95 – 1
Robert D Reed, USA

Seeing Beyond Depression
Vanier J.
ISBN 0-281-05411-8
SPCK

A Book of Blessings
Edited by Burgess R.
ISBN 1-901557-48-0
Wild Goose Publications

Spirituality in Health Care Contexts
Edited by Helen Orchard
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN 1 85302 969 6

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THE ORERE SOURCE

The Rev. W. Noel Brown, A CPE Supervisor, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago.is the editor and puiblisher of THE ORERE SOURCE, a bi-monthly compendium of his abstracts from the pastoral care literature.