CHURCH OF ENGLAND

"Hospital Chaplaincy ...... is a major part of the work of the Church of England "

The Bishop of Gloucester chairs the Hospital Chaplaincies Council (HCC) (which is a Council of the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England). HCC is the focus for matters concerning Hospital/Health Care within the Church of England.

For many patients, staff and relatives the Chaplain/Spiritual Care Giver is the only contact with a representative of their Faith in hospital/healthcare and that contact must be as useful as possible.

HCC also is the interface between the Church of England and the Government's Department of Health. Since the inception of the NHS, whole and part-time Chaplains have been salaried members of staff. Their work in the various hospitals and healthcare institutions throughout the country furthers the mission and ministry of the Church in secular settings. It also carries forward the Dominical command to care for the sick and dying.

HCC not only holds this National overview, but also provides guidance, advice and support to the Church of England Bishops (through their advisers for Hospital Chaplaincy), individual Chief Executives and Trusts in all matters relating to hospital/healthcare chaplaincy. The Council also ensures the professional development of serving chaplains through the work of the Training and Development department.

Healthcare chaplaincy is at the cutting edge of ministry, often touching peoples' lives at times of great crisis and pain. The development in research techniques, the human genome project, etc. throws up new ethical dilemmas for chaplains and other colleagues to grapple with. Of the 425 whole time chaplains in the UK, the 300 whole time and 1500 part time C of E chaplains also minister to the 1.3 million staff employed by the NHS.

July 2008
Manchester Diocesan Synod recently debated and unanimously agreed the following motion in the light of the 60th Anniversary of the NHS

'This Synod

A) Gives thanks to God on the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the National Health Service; sends greetings to all the medical, care and support staff and contractors; and offers its prayers for the continuing challenge to improve the nation's health and address health inequalities;

B) Reminds all involved in funding and commissioning health services of the founding principles of the NHS, particularly that healthcare should be free at the point of delivery and meet the needs of the whole person;

C) Draws attention to the research which links spiritual and religious care with the improved healing, wholeness and recovery of patients;

D) Commends to the NHS commissioners and managers the ecumenical and multi-faith work of healthcare chaplains in providing religious and spiritual care to patients, families and staff; and calls for the proper funding and resourcing of NHS chaplaincy services;

E) Further commends the creative partnership between the NHS and faith communities, and the distinctive commitment of the Church of England both to patient-centred care and ministry to NHS institutions.'

The General Synod of the Church of England debate about Hospital/Healthcare chaplaincy

During the February 2006 sessions of The General Synod of the Church of England a debate about Hospital/Healthcare chaplaincy was held. A number of Synod members from the three houses, Bishop,  Clergy and Laity took part and were most supportive of the work being done throughout the NHS and in other areas which employed chaplains, notably hospices and associated palliative care centres. Contributions were also made on behalf of the 10,000 or so volunteers connected with healthcare chaplaincy work.

Hospital and Healthcare Chaplaincy (GS 1609)

The Synod welcomed Father Peter Scott (the Catholic Bishops’ Conference), the Reverend Mark Fisher (Executive Secretary of the Free Churches Group), Rabbi Martin van den Bergh (Chairman of the Multi-Faith Group for Healthcare Chaplaincy), Dr David Jones (St Mary’s University College, Strawberry Hill) and the Reverend George Cobb (Chairman of the Association of Hospice Chaplains) who were sitting in the public gallery.

15    The motion

       ‘That this Synod

(a)           affirm and support chaplaincy and spiritual healthcare as a necessary part of wholeness and healing;

(b)     support and encourage healthcare chaplains and volunteers in their work and presence in the National Health Service and in all places of healing care; and

(c)     request HM Government, NHS Trusts and other healthcare bodies, to ensure the continuing as well as adequate provision of chaplaincy/spiritual care.’

was carried after a count of the whole Synod. The voting was as follows:

End of motion

Hospital/healthcare chaplaincy presents an opportunity to minister to patients, staff and relatives and to be a prophetic voice within a secular institution. Please pray for the work of the Health Service and the people who serve it.

Further particulars may be obtained from:

Chief Executive,
The Hospital Chaplaincies Council, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ.

Other Links

• Church of England website
• Church of England - Clergy Appointments Adviser vacancy page
• Church of England Net Directory
• The Church of England Newspaper
• Church Times
• Transforming Worship - Living the new creation - an initiative of the Liturgical Commission of the Church of England

This page was updated 8 December 2008