Abstract:

A retired hospital physician considers the practical implications of the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) Guidelines on Spiritual Care in the NHS Scotland. Whilst welcoming the move toward the recovery of a spiritual dimension in health care, and the recognition of the specialist role of hospital chaplains, he expresses two concerns. The first is the danger of too superficial and ill-defined an attitude to the spiritual need of patients. The other is whether the rank and file of healthcare workers will be prepared to give time to this additional burden, or feel equipped to do so.

Author: David Short