PEH chaplains provide worthy service for all
ON RETURNING from holiday recently, I was horrified to read in the Press the intention of Health & Social Care to cut the number of chaplains and to review funding. Both myself and members of my family have benefited greatly from the visits of chaplains when we have had to come into hospital. I am not a religious person, but I have found their presence such a support.
If HSC really believe in caring for the whole person, how can they possibly consider making cuts? If anything they need to think about helping the team of chaplains to be more available.
JANE WHEADON,
Les Hamelins,
St Peter’s,
GY7 9HF.
Editor’s footnote: A spokesman for HSC replies: As your reader correctly states, HSC has committed to review the chaplaincy service at the PEH – which will include the number of chaplains and the funding.
HSC recognises the value of the chaplaincy services provided at the hospital, in particular the work of the lead chaplain, the Rev. Linda Le Vasseur. The feedback we receive from patients, their families and staff reflects strongly the appreciation people have of Linda’s work and that of her colleagues.
Hospital chaplains provide compassionate, pastoral, spiritual or religious support for patients, carers and staff facing situations that are, at times, harrowing and stressful. Chaplains are available to people of all faiths or none and are there to listen and treat all people with total respect and sensitivity.
HSC is actively reviewing the provision of chaplaincy services, including the current £26,000 budget. As part of this review, the chief secretary has recently met with the Rev. Le Vasseur and the HSC senior management team were delighted to receive a presentation from the chaplaincy team to outline the valuable service they provide.
The provision of chaplaincy services is not straightforward. HSC has been made aware of concerns that the service has very strong Church of England links. HSC has to ensure multi-faith service users, as well as those who turn to other non-religious spiritual support, are provided with the most appropriate service when facing difficult and often very traumatic circumstances.
HSC reviews its spending priorities every three months. The provision of chaplaincy will be considered as part of this regular sequence.
While recognising the value of the chaplaincy service, it is important to acknowledge that there are also a wide range of volunteers who provide support to patients, their families and staff on a daily basis e.g. Friends of the PEH, the WRVS and Wellbeing Animals Guernsey, to name but a few. Jubilee Radio is also a great source of comfort for a number of patients while they are in hospital.
While HSC supports the chaplaincy service at the hospital, patients, family and staff are, of course, able to call upon their own pastoral or spiritual or religious representatives who can attend the PEH in their time of need.