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12 March 2003
Contents Soundings:13
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SACH
Soundings
No 13 March 2003
Page
5
Study
Leave at Roxburghe House, Aberdeen
It was with a little trepidation tinged with facing the
unknown that I embarked on a short attachment leaving the island and rural
background for the ‘big city’ (outskirts to be exact) and to learn as much
as possible about Palliative Care to assist me in my pastoral Ministry
where more and more instances of Cancer was prevalent, and particularly to
have ‘hands on’ with the Chaplaincy Work.
Roxburghe House is in fact a Specialist Palliative Care Unit with both a
hospice and a Day Care Unit. I worked in close liaison with the Chaplain
the Rev Gillian Munro, who allocated specific responsibilities. I gained
much experience working alongside the patients, their relatives, staff,
volunteers and ancillary services, who all made different kinds of demands
and many required support.
It was the whole ethos and atmosphere that hit me when first visiting the
Unit and Day Care Unit. The warmth, the humour, the fact that people
worked as a team (right across the Board), the friendliness, a safe place
to be. The ‘openness’ and ‘honesty’. A place where ‘people centred care’
was very evident. People had time for each other. To be there for
everyone, no matter their religious background or not, to get alongside
and to be available, helping in any way possible.
It was good to take or participate in the Weekly Services on a Sunday in
the hospice and the Quiet Time each weekday (when possible) for 30 minutes
in the Day Unit. To attend funerals, visit homes and to take a funeral
when invited.
As a result of my Study Leave, I am sure I will be more understanding and
equipped to deal with people with no religious background. To understand
the progress of the disease a little better and to be able to equip others
(members of my congregations) who have pastoral gifts and working with
people facing terminal illnesses. I thank Gillian and others who made this
attachment possible. As many staff and volunteers said to me, ‘It was a
great levelling experience’ for me to have accomplished. The work within
Palliative Care will always have a special place in my heart.
Tom Clark,
Minister of Orphir & Stenness Churches of Scotland, Orkney spent Study
leave at Roxburghe House, Aberdeen in August and September 2002
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Multifaith....Multicultural
I may be behind everyone else, but in case I'm not, the
Festival Shop in Birmingham is a great resource. They have a free catalogue
of Multifaith, Multicultural and Citizenship Resources. I have found them
very helpful and they have good material.
Two books that might be of particular interest to SACH members:
Neville A. Kirkwood: A Hospital Handbook on
Multiculturalism & Religion - practical guidelines for health care workers
Continuum International Publishing Group - Morehouse; ISBN: 081921793X
£5.99
Yude Meryl: Faith Facts - A multifaith perspective
Festival Shop; ISBN: 0953526909 £7.95
The Festival Shop Ltd
56 Poplar Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7AG
Tel 0121 444 0444
Email: info@festivalshop.co.uk
Carrie Upton
Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Liberton Hospital, Edinburgh
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