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SACH  Soundings
 No 10 June 2002

Page 7

Healthcare Chaplaincy Training & Development Group

The new convener of the Healthcare Chaplaincy Training and Development Group, replacing Stewart McGregor, is Fr Kenneth Owens. 

Although not yet a year in post Chris has a new job title! - Healthcare Chaplaincy Training and Development Officer and Spiritual Care Co-ordinator for Scotland. 

The group noted the following additions to the job remit 

1. to co-ordinate the work of the team including the Policy Development Officer and the Secretary 
2. to work with the Policy Development Officer in advising and resourcing the Trust teams in each Health Board area in the consultation, the preparation, the writing and implementation of the new Spiritual Care Policies based on the ‘Guidelines on Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care in the NHS in Scotland’ 
3. to have an overview and an advisory and co-ordinating role in all aspects of Spiritual Care within the NHS in Scotland and the Scottish faith communities The 

Group has now approved a paper on strategic planning for the Training & Development Officer and Spiritual Care Co-ordinator prepared by Kenneth Owens. 

There has been some discussion on the subject of Data Protection. It was confirmed by Roy Sturrock, representing the Scottish Executive Health Department, that Data Protection issues are being dealt with by SEHD in conjunction with the Data Protection Office prior to issuing of Guidelines for Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy and that a statement about Data Protection will be included. This follows discussions between SEHD and Data Protection at which it was agreed that chaplains should be seen as part of the Medical Core Team, entitled to appropriate patient information. This is in line with the tenor of the new Guidelines and the expressed intention of the Executive to place the provision of spiritual care at the centre of healthcare. The Group has been represented along with SACH and other chaplaincy organisations at meetings to discuss Registration of Healthcare Chaplains and Spiritual Caregivers. The main purpose of registration being 

• to regularise chaplaincy as a profession alongside others in the NHS 
• to ensure adequate and appropriate training and ongoing professional development of chaplains 
• the protection of patients 

Iain Telfer 
Chaplain, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh represents SACH on HCTDG

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