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Contents Soundings:13

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Stuart J Macdonald
represents SACH on the Hospitals, Healthcare and University Sub-Committee
 

SACH  Soundings
 No 13 March 2003

Page 6

Hospitals, Healthcare and University Sub Committee

Meeting held on 21 January 2003

On-Call Survey
The findings of the on call survey were reported to the committee. The findings revealed a variety of methods for providing on-call cover from the provision of a list system to the provision of a 24 hrs 7 days a week service. It was noted that generally chaplains are expected to provide a 24 hrs 7 days a week service using both full-time and part-time chaplains. The most common experience for chaplains was that they were on-call either every 2nd week or every 3rd week. With regard to weeknight on-call cover, this varied from 6 days per week with no day free from 24 hr on-call cover to 7 nights every 4 weeks. This variation in practice was also carried over into the number of hours that chaplains were expected to be on-call. Some chaplains were on-call for 14 hours over a 2-week period while others were on-call up to 208 hours over the same period. The generally expressed view was that chaplains should be expected to be on call no more than 3 nights a week and that this should not include weekends.

Study Leave Reports
Reports were received from Rev Isabel Whyte who was examining Fair Access to Spiritual Care for people of all Faiths and Cultures in Acute Healthcare, and also from Rev Georgina Nelson who was participating in a course of Clinical Pastoral Education.

Patient Privacy
A letter was received from the Archbishop’s Council encouraging all chaplains working within the NHS to air their views on proposals which will determine who can see information held in patient medical records. The body which is leading this consultation process is The NHS Information Authority and can be contacted by phone 08453 660066 or by visiting their web site at
www.nhsia.nhs.uk/confidentiality

Pensions
The issue of the housing allowance received by chaplains and the impact this is having on pensions is currently being pursued by the committee.

Healthcare Chaplaincy Training and Development Officer’s Report
Rev Chris Levison presented his report and stated that he had completed his first year as The Healthcare Chaplaincy training and Development Officer. The objectives that he is currently pursuing are:

1. To help Trusts implement the Scottish executive Document on Spiritual Care.

2. Explore the possible development of a qualification in chaplaincy.

3. Provide support and supervision.

4. Provide study days for all chaplains.

5. Develop standards for healthcare chaplaincy.

Stuart J Macdonald

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