Abstract:

Marie Curie Cancer Care undertook a comparative assessment of its ten Marie Curie Hospices using the Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains' Standards for Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplaincy (AHPCC 2003). This article discusses the findings of the assessment process and considers the value of the assessment for Marie Curie Cancer Care as a charity committed to multidisciplinary team working. The article demonstrates the practicality of the standards and the accompanying self assessment tool in assessing the service providing expertise in spiritual and religious care in hospices. It features examples of good practice and identifies areas that need further research and development.

Author: David Mitchell, Carol Hibberd