Comments on: Taxpayers should not shoulder the cost of ’spiritual care’ in hospitals

By: Andrea Farnsworth

Andrea Farnsworth — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:10:44 +0000

I have been disgusted at some of the comments. Having been part of the NHS for more years than I care to remember, I know the importance of having hospital Chaplains. They play a vital part in hospital life not only for patients but for visitors and staff also. I work throughout the UK in NHS hospitals and have seen first hand the vital work they do [for very little pay I might add]. Prayer rooms of all denominations being used on a regular basis, we need to support all people no matter what faith or culture they come from, who better to do this but a hospital Chaplain.

By: sas001

sas001 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:21:13 +0000

Let’s not forget the legacy forms (typical form can be downloaded from CofE website). They prey on the lonely old people to fill them in. Vicars and priests not only use hospitals to get these forms filled in – they also target old people’s homes.

By: sailor1031

sailor1031 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:06:42 +0000

In fact it is the pastoral DUTY of parish priests to visit sick members of their congregations in hospital, at home or wherever they may be. As such they are already being paid for this and providing paid chaplains merely lets the parish priests off the hook while unnecessarily providing a duplicate service at taxpayer expense.

By: FrodoSaves

FrodoSaves — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:59:39 +0000

I really am getting tired of hospitals tinkering with my biological parts. It’s like, isn’t there something else you can do?

By: remigius

remigius — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:35:01 +0000

I have thought long and hard about this issue, and have come to the conclusion that a hospital chaplain is a bit like a Slinky.

They both serve no practical purpose, but it would be fun to watch them fall down a flight of stairs!

By: Stuart W

Stuart W — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:43:25 +0000

‘Chaplains do an extremely demanding job’

Are you kidding me? Kindly souls as they might well be – and I daresay it is difficult talking to the terminally ill and their kin – does a professional bedside-natterer contribute to the surgery, medicating, diagnosing, disinfecting, responsibility for patient’s paperwork, etc. The ones who do that are the backbone of a hospital that I suggest the above phrase is better reserved for.

By: Stuart H.

Stuart H. — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:48:37 +0000

I represent ‘minority & no faiths’ on a hospital ethics committee along with ‘proper’ hospital chaplains. I have a 100% attendance record, but of 4 listed chaplains, 3 take it in turn, t’other (the evangelical) never attends – we suspect because we’re not paid! This has its advantages, like being able to push non-religious ethical stances as hospital policy. In my experience hospital staff also value having a confirmed atheist/humanist to counter the religious lunatics they’re obliged to consult.
My advice is – especially if you’re in a more rural area without ‘professional’ chaplains – find who your local hospital chaplains are, point out that, for example, older atheists in hospital lack suitable ‘faith support’ and that you’d visit if needed. Reasonable ones will co-operate, and once you’re known to the hospital other more formal stuff can follow.
I also took advice from churches on setting up hospital visiting for atheist patients. From this I know 90% of what’s passed off as ‘chaplaincy’ is actually done by retired churchgoers who ’support’ their vicar – who usually only turns up to give last rites, set up funerals and comfort the bereaved. I’d also confirm patients hardly ever ask for a chaplain -it’s usually a relative who can’t get to the hospital.

By: Alan C.

Alan C. — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:29:45 +0000

What an excellent idea Stonyground, so bloody good in fact, that the powers that be will never think of it.

By: Stonyground

Stonyground — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:13:34 +0000

The Halal and Kosher problem could easily be solved by providing a vegetarian menu. It could have the added advantage of smoking out some who decide that actually they are not that religious after all.

By: Shargraves

Shargraves — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:10:39 +0000

Indeed hen – as is kosher – inhumane treatment of humanity thru ancient myths is one thing, but keep animals out of their perverse fantasies. They don’t deserve it!