What Do Chaplains Do Now?

The Continuous Process of Adaptation

Authors

  • Jim Simpson Lead Chaplain for Mental Health, NHS Grampian
  • Margery Collin Head of Spiritual Care, NHS Forth Valley
  • Christian Okeke Part time healthcare chaplain NHS Lanarkshire

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.v2i2.20850

Keywords:

Chaplaincy, spiritual and religious care, NHS Scotland, role, identity, perceptions, relationship

Abstract

Changes in the nature and language of chaplaincy in Scotland in the last decade have inevitably brought with it many challenges as chaplains endeavour to come to terms with new ways of working, increased responsibility and accountability and weightier expectations laid upon them. This article reports the findings of a thematic research project with data drawn from structured interviews with fifteen practising healthcare chaplains working in a variety of settings across Scotland. The project, a sequel to an earlier research study by Harriet Mowat and John Swinton in 2006, was carried out by a group of practising chaplains as a means of developing research skills and to provide further exploration into the continually changing role of chaplaincy in Scotland. The key findings are presented according to the order of the six interview questions, with areas of further research work highlighted at the end.

Author Biographies

  • Jim Simpson, Lead Chaplain for Mental Health, NHS Grampian

    Jim Simpson is the Lead Chaplain for Mental Health in NHS Grampian. His background is in ordained ministry, having studied at the Scottish Baptist College. He also has a degree from the Open University and University of Aberdeen, a Diploma in person-centred counselling and is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

  • Margery Collin, Head of Spiritual Care, NHS Forth Valley

    Margery Collin is Head of Spiritual Care for NHS Forth Valley, having been a healthcare chaplain for 14 years in acute, community and hospice settings. She has a background in education, valuing the place of training, study and research in health and social care. Her teaching on spiritual care has taken her as far afield as Shenyang in China. She has a particular interest in palliative care and has published research findings on the place of spiritual care at the end of life. She provides a Community Chaplaincy Listening service at Alva Medical Centre and is currently involved in the collection of a national evidence base for this strand of work. An accredited facilitator of Values Based Reflective Practice, she is keen to promote this proven method of reflection in all disciplines.

  • Christian Okeke, Part time healthcare chaplain NHS Lanarkshire

    Revd Christian Okeke is an Anglican priest and a counsellor. He is a part-time rector of an Episcopal church in Glasgow, and a part-time healthcare Chaplain in NHS Lanarkshire, Scotland. He is also currently studying for a doctorate in Practical Theology through the University of Glasgow.

References

Campbell, C. (2011) Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Review/publicservicescommission

Cobb, M. (2007) “Change and Challenge: The Dynamic of Chaplaincy”. Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy 10(1): 4-10.

Elliot, A. (2002) “Putting Spiritual Care at the Centre of the NHS”. Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy 5(1): 15–19.

Gordon, T., E. Kelly and D. Mitchell (2011) Spiritual Care for Healthcare Professionals. Reflecting on Clinical Practice. London: Radcliffe Publishing.

Kelly, E. (2012) The Reflective Practitioner. Edinburgh: NHS Education for Scotland, 6.

—(2013) “Policy, Practice and Strategic Priorities and Healthcare Chaplaincy”. Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy 16: 53–59.

Kennedy, J. and I. Stirling (2013) “Innovation in Spiritual Care”. Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy 16: 60–67.

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Mitchell, D. (2006) “Healthcare Chaplaincy in Scotland and the UK: A Look Back to the Future”. Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy 9(2): 36–39.

Mowat, H. (2010) “Guest Editorial”. Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy 13(1): 1–2.

—(2014) The Promise of MHA Chaplaincy: A Journey towards Reconciliation and Restitution. Derby: Methodist Homes Association.

Mowat, H. and J. Swinton (2007) What do Chaplains do? The Role of the Chaplain in Meeting the Spiritual Needs of Patients. Aberdeen: Mowat Research Ltd.

NHS HDL (2002) Guidelines on Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care in the NHS in Scotland, 76. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.

Orchard, E. (ed.) (2001) Spirituality in Healthcare Contexts. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Scottish Government Health Department (2010) The Healthcare Quality Strategy for NHS Scotland. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Health Directorates.

—(2011) Achieving Sustainable Quality in Scotland’s Healthcare: A 2020 Vision. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Health Directorates.

South Yorkshire NHS Workforce Development Confederation (2003) Caring for the Spirit: a Strategy for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Healthcare Workforce. www.nhs-chaplaincy-spiritualcare.org.uk/NationalHealthService/nhs.html

Swift, C., G. Handzo and J. Cohen (2012) “Healthcare Chaplaincy”. In Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare, eds M. Cobb, C. M. Puchalski and B. Rumbold, 185–90, 29. London: Oxford University Press.

Threlfall-Holmes, M. and M. Newitt (2011) Being a Chaplain, III. Chaplains’ Stories – Healthcare. London: SPCK.

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Published

2015-03-10

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2014): ​Grief Rituals, Bereaved Parents, Ethics, Supervision and Chaplaincy Adaptation

Section

Articles

License

© Equinox Publishing Ltd.

For information regarding our Open Access policy, click here.

How to Cite

Simpson, J., Collin, M., & Okeke, C. (2015). What Do Chaplains Do Now? The Continuous Process of Adaptation. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 2(2), 213-234. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.v2i2.20850