Gloucestershire Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
TRUST POLICY
In the case of hard copies of this policy the content can only be assured to be accurate on the date
of issue marked on the document.
The Policy framework requires that the policy is fully reviewed on the date shown, but it is also
possible that significant changes may have occurred in the meantime.
The most up to date policy will always be available on the Intranet Policy web site and staff are
reminded that assurance that the most up to date policy is being used can only achieved by
reference to the Policy web site.
Spiritual Healthcare Policy for
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
This document may be made available to the public and persons outside of the Trust as part of the Trust's
compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Date of Issue …February 2012 …………….
Review Date… February 2015
Gloucestershire Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Page 1 of 11
Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
TRUST POLICIES
Authorisation Form
DOCUMENT: SPIRITUAL HEALTHCARE POLICY
………………………… ……………………………………………………….
Authorisation
Name and Position
Date Approved
Responsible Authors
Mark Read (Rev)
Lead Chaplain
Department of Spiritual Care
February 2012
Policy Sponsor
David Smith
Director, Human Resources
February 2012
Consideration at authorised groups (e.g. Board, Board sub committees, Policy Group,
Clinical policies Sub Group, Departmental meetings etc)
Name of Group
Minute details
Date considered
Page 2 of 11
Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
Equality Impact Assessment
Initial Screening
1. Policy: Spiritual Healthcare Policy
Lead (e.g. Director, Manager, Clinician): David Smith, Director of HR
2. Person responsible for the assessment:
Name:
Mark Read
Job Title: Lead Chaplain, Department of Spiritual Care
3. Is this a new or existing policy, service strategy, procedure or function?
Existing 
New
4. Who is the policy/service strategy ,procedure or function aimed at?
Patients
Any other

Carers



Staff
Visitors

Please specify: Available to members of the public
5. Are any of the following groups adversely affected by this policy:
If yes is this high, medium or low impact (see attached notes):
Disabled people:
No

Yes
Race, ethnicity & nationality:
No

Yes
Marriage/Civil Partnership:
No

Yes
Maternity/Pregnancy:
No

Yes
Male/Female/transgender:
No

Yes
Age, young or older people:
No

Yes
Sexual orientation:
No

Yes
Gender reassignment:
No

Yes
Religion, belief & faith:
No

Yes
Impact
If the answer is yes to any of these proceed to full assessment. This applies whether the impact
assessment is high, medium or low.
If the answer is no to all categories, the assessment is now complete.
6. Does the policy, service strategy, procedure or function include measures which
promote equality?
No
Yes 
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Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
7. If yes, what are these measures?
The policy provides a consistent framework to support staff, patients and visitors to the Trust.
It applies equally to all members of staff.
It supports and promotes equality of spiritual, religious and pastoral care to people of all faith and
none.
Date of assessment: 29/02/2012
Completed by: Mark Read
Signature
Job title Lead Chaplain, Dept. Spiritual Care
Director: Human Resources
Signature
This EIA will be published on the Trust website. A completed EIA must accompany a new policy or
a reviewed policy when it is confirmed by the relevant Trust Committee, Divisional Board, Trust
Director or Trust Board. Executive Directors are responsible for ensuring that EIA’s are completed
in accordance with this procedure.
Page 4 of 11
Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
CONTENTS:
1. The Context
Page 6
2. Introduction to Spiritual Care
Page 6
3. Definitions
Page 6
3.1
Spiritual
Page 7
3.2
Religious
Page 7
3.3
Spiritual Care
Page 7
3.4
Pastoral Care
Page 7
3.5
Religious Care
Page 7
4. DELIVERY OF SPIRITUAL HEALTHCARE TO PATIENTS AND VISITORS
Page 8
4.1
Admission and Spiritual Care Assessment Procedures
4.1.2 Admission Forms/Front Sheets
4.1.3 Gloucestershire Patient Profile (G.P.P.)
Page 8
Page 8
Page 8
4.2
Places of Worship and Quiet Spaces
Page 9
4.3
Information for Patients, Relatives and Carers
Page 9
4.4
Acts of Worship and Religious Observance
Page 9
4.5
Access to Chaplains and Faith Representatives
Page 10
4.6
Advice, Support and Resources
Page 10
5. DELIVERY OF SPIRITUAL HEALTHCARE TO STAFF
Page 10
5.1
Support for Staff
Page 10
5.2
Support following the death of a member of staff
Page 11
6. Review
Page 11
Page 5 of 11
Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
1. THE CONTEXT
GHNHSFT through the implementation of its Trust Values (launched in September 2008) and its
Standards of Behaviour ~ Kindness and Respect (launched in January 2012) is committed to
caring for the individual. This spiritual healthcare policy reinforces and supports that commitment
by recognising the value of every patient, carer, relative and member of staff. The aim of this policy
is to place Spiritual Healthcare within Trust philosophy and thinking and to emphasise its value for
all who use its services and work within its boundaries. This Policy should be read as
complementary to other Trust Policies.
2. INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUAL CARE
There is a widely held belief that the delivery of Spiritual Healthcare is the sole responsibility of the
Chaplaincy Team. This can be due to a misunderstanding or a limited view of what spiritual care
involves. The definitions contained in section 3 below should help to clarify the nature of spiritual
care. There is a need to develop an understanding that spiritual care is the shared responsibility of
all those who work in the Trust in whatever capacity.
All staff will be informed via the staff handbook and the “market place display boards” about the
Department of Spiritual Care and spiritual care provision as part of the Trust Induction Programme.
Further leaflets, information and guidelines are available to support staff. There is also a Spiritual
Care website available on the internet and intranet with resource and support information for the
benefit of staff.
As a minimum level of care all staff are expected to treat other staff members, patients and their
carers along with any visitors to the Trust with equal sensitivity, kindness, dignity and respect, in
accordance with the Trust Values and Standards of Behaviour ~ Kindness and Respect. Members
of staff should be alert to times or situations when it may be appropriate to contact the
Chaplains for spiritual, pastoral or religious support.
Enshrined within the Human Rights Act (1998) is the right of the individual to freedom of thought,
conscience and religious observance. This includes the right of every patient to receive appropriate
spiritual care provision whilst being protected from any form of proselytising whilst in hospital.
Meanwhile the Data Protection Act (1998) requires patients to give explicit consent for members
of the chaplaincy team to know of their religious details and/or needs. The Department of Spiritual
Care has worked alongside others in the Trust to devise a system that meets the requirements of
current legislation and enables the efficient delivery of high quality equitable spiritual care (see
section 4).
The January 2009 DH publication – “Religion or Belief: A practical guide for the NHS” sets out
the legal obligations and practical issues surrounding spiritual care which underpin equitable health
care provision in the NHS. This is an important reference document relating to the spiritual care of
patients and staff.
3. DEFINITIONS
There is no readily agreed definition of spiritual healthcare other than that it comprises spiritual,
religious and pastoral care. The chaplaincy team has agreed the following definitions that can be
adopted and used by all staff within the Trust. They do not necessarily have to be everyone’s ideal
but do need to be robust enough to enable consistent patient care along with any corresponding
data collection and/or analysis.
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Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
The words ‘spiritual’ and ‘religious’ are often thought to have the same meaning. This can lead to
confusion and so the needs of some people are overlooked. The differences are described as
follows:
3.1 Spiritual describes the way in which people make sense of their human experience. It includes
all those aspects of life that enable us to be human e.g. uniqueness, dignity, worth, conscience,
values, attitudes, beliefs and relationships. Spirituality is a universal human experience that centres
on the capacity to find purpose and meaning in life.
3.2 Religious describes one way in which some people find expression for the spiritual. It often
has more to do with a specified ritual or practice. It might be described as the outward working of
an inner belief.
3.3 Spiritual Care is defined as the response provided to support a patient, member of staff or
visitor in making sense of their human experience. It may include responses to those who show
signs of spiritual pain or distress such as:
 Anger:
Directed at God, other people or self.
 Bitterness:
What have I done to deserve this?
 Regret:
I should have been a better person!
 Guilt/punishments:
I must have done something wrong.
 Doubt:
Is there really a God, really a purpose for existence?
 Fear:
I am not sure there is anything after death?
 Isolation:
My family/neighbours, friends/God etc. have abandoned me.
 Loss of hope:
I see no future/ a negative future stretching endlessly ahead.
Spiritual Care, therefore, is important to all people, not only those who express a religious belief. It
has been found that patients have a constant need to make sense of their circumstances, to find
meaning in the events of their day, their relationships and their life during periods of illness and
hospitalisation. Spiritual aspects of care, therefore, recognise the humanity, uniqueness and the
person-hood of all patients, relatives and staff.
3.4 Pastoral Care is defined as the response provided when a patient, member of staff or visitor
needs support and care to meet personal and emotional challenges. This care includes the giving
of time, attention and respect to whatever the patient or user presents as well as dealing with
practical problems and their resolution. Advocacy of all types could fall within this category. This
may or may not involve liaison with other disciplines or individuals.
3.5 Religious Care is defined as being provided when a patient or member of staff or visitor
receives specifically religious advice or support according to a religious body or belief system, or
one of the accepted rites or rituals of a faith community.
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Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
4. DELIVERY OF SPIRITUAL HEALTHCARE TO PATIENTS AND VISITORS
4.1 Admission and Spiritual Care Assessment Procedures for Patients:
This now places a “responsibility of care” on the staff member admitting a patient into hospital
and/or providing the principal care on the ward (e.g. named nurse) to ensure that patients are
asked for their religious details and that these are correctly recorded in the patient notes
(Admission/Front Sheet). These must be accurately transferred onto PAS (or any subsequent
system) on the computer.
4.1.2 Admission Forms
The two compulsory questions that satisfy legal requirements on admission are:
 What is your religion?
 Can the Chaplains be informed of your religion? Yes/No
Please note that the second question is about providing legal consent. It does not ask if the person
would like a visit from a chaplain. If a patient requires a visit from a chaplain this must be
notified by direct request to the chaplain’s office.
Further requests for visits and any additional information offered by the patient should be recorded
in the Gloucestershire Patient Profiles (hereafter referred to as G.P.P.). It is the right of the patient
to decide whether or not to answer these questions and how. It is not the right of the staff member
to decide whether or not to ask the questions. The accurate recording of this information may make
a significant difference to the provision of appropriate care for the patient.
4.1.3 Gloucestershire Patient Profile (G.P.P.)
The spiritual assessment of patient’s needs using the G.P.P. (or its equivalent) will form part of the
individual assessment process currently undertaken by healthcare teams. Any department not
using the G.P.P. is responsible for ensuring that their forms include a set of spiritual care
assessment questions. The chaplains can help with this upon request.
Following an initial assessment (at or soon after admission), ongoing assessment by the
healthcare team will take place regularly during the patient’s stay in hospital, the records updated
and appropriate action taken. A fresh assessment should be made at least once in every seven
days (more frequently if the patient’s situation determines it). It is recommended that each time a
fresh G.P.P. is started a corresponding spiritual health care enquiry is made. The completion of
this section of the G.P.P. should not be seen as optional but as a vital aspect of patient care within
the Essence of Care programme.
The G.P.P. has been devised to provide a basic framework of questions to assist staff in
conducting a spiritual healthcare assessment. Any additional information should be recorded in the
notes section of the G.P.P. It then remains the responsibility of the staff member carrying out such
assessment to act on the information appropriately. This may or may not include informing the
Chaplains of any identified request or need.
Further in-depth spiritual healthcare assessments can be made if necessary and the Department of
Spiritual Care chaplains are always willing to assist staff with these. Chaplains are also willing to
attend multi-disciplinary team meetings and case conferences when deemed appropriate and
subject to necessary consent. Proper spiritual healthcare assessments can contribute significantly
to the holistic health and well-being of patients and to the co-ordinated care provided by other
disciplines.
Ongoing spiritual healthcare training will be provided by members of the chaplaincy team working
in conjunction with other staff and departments as appropriate or requested. However, it remains
the responsibility of any staff member identifying the need for personal or departmental spiritual
healthcare training to act on this accordingly.
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Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
4.2 Places of Worship and Quiet Spaces
There are chapels at GRH and CGH and two prayer rooms at GRH which can be used by anyone
for private prayer, quiet reflection or religious observances. The prayer rooms are regularly used by
members of the Muslim community. At CGH the Muslim community use the multi-faith chapel. All
these facilities have 24 hour access. Details of all regular services are listed in Department of
Spiritual Care leaflets and are displayed outside each chapel. They are also recorded on the
Chaplaincy Pages of the hospital Intranet.
Patients, carers, relatives, staff and visitors should have access (as appropriate) to a quiet room on
the ward for private ‘reflection’ or confidential discussions. All departments/staff are asked to assist
in meeting such requests as best they can.
4.3 Information for Patients, Relatives and Carers
Specific written information about spiritual care services for patients should be provided on preadmission and admission. In the case of non-elective and trauma patients who will not have
received a pre-admission folder, it is important to provide information on the ward.
Information leaflets for patients, relatives, staff and local faith leaders are available from the
Department of Spiritual Care and can also be ordered direct from Prontaprint. Each department
should make sure that relevant information is also written into their own admission booklets. This
information should detail the Trust facilities and how to access the relevant individuals who may
support them.
4.4 Acts of Worship and Religious Observance including at birth and death
It is important that individual needs for religious observance (for people of all faiths), rites, customs
and liturgical traditions are accommodated so far as possible and without discrimination. This may
include issues about gender, diet, ablutions, meditation, prayer, privacy, dignity and treatment.
The need for appropriate recognition and/or ceremonies of birth, (emergency) marriage, death and
other significant points in life (rites of passage) should be acknowledged regardless of any belief
system. Chaplains are available to advise on and/or conduct these as required. If appropriate,
other faith leaders/representatives will be called upon to conduct such religious rites.
Acts of Christian worship are regularly held in each of the hospital chapels. Members of the
chaplaincy team also visit the wards to provide prayer and the Christian Sacraments (Holy
Communion, Anointing with Oil etc.) for those patients who are unable to leave the wards. Whilst
the chaplains work proactively to be aware of individual patient’s needs, it is the responsibility of
ward staff to ensure that the chaplains are informed of patient requests for such ministry or
support.
When a member of the chaplaincy team is visiting a patient or visitor (especially if providing some
form of ministry) other staff are asked to respect the importance of this encounter for the patient
and to avoid unnecessary interruptions.
A supplementary Guidance Document for visiting faith community and belief group leaders and
supporting leaflet Guidelines for local clergy and faith leader visiting - leaflet are also available to
support patients in receiving appropriate care from members of their own churches or faith
communities.
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Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
4.5 Access to Chaplains and Faith Representatives
The chaplains provide a 24 hour on-call service throughout the Trust and are available for the
spiritual, pastoral and religious care of all patients, staff and visitors. This service is available to all
service users regardless of a person’s faith or background.
Trust Chaplains can be contacted in the following way:
 Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
 Cheltenham Hospital
Tel: 08454 226200 (Ext 6200)
Tel: 08454 224286 (Ext 4286)
Alternatively, in an emergency contact switchboard
Tel: 08454 222222 (Ext 100)
and ask them to page the “on-call” chaplain. When paging a chaplain, please state the following
information:
 Hospital,
 Ward,
 Name,
 Extension Number.
The Duty Chaplain will endeavour to return your call and make the necessary response as soon as
possible. This will normally be within 1 hour of your call although this does not apply to the Roman
Catholic Priests who because of their parish duties may not be able to respond immediately.
The Trust also has access to a range of faith representatives from the main faith groups in the
region. These can be accessed through the chaplains who will co-ordinate the provision of
appropriate care or via switchboard. Alternatively, a list of telephone numbers can be found on the
Chaplaincy Web Pages on the Trust Intranet.
4.6 Advice, Support and Resources
The Department of Spiritual Care maintains a selection of resources to help facilitate a range of
religious observances. These are available on request. Information about key aspects of spiritual
healthcare for different faiths is available on the Chaplaincy Web Pages of the Trust Intranet. A
multi-faith event calendar showing key religious festivals and dates is displayed outside each
chapel. A range of leaflets and information is also available in the Health Information Room in the
Atrium at GRH.
5. DELIVERY OF SPIRITUAL HEALTHCARE TO STAFF
5.1 Support for Staff:
The Department of Spiritual Care exists to support staff as much as patients, carers and visitors of
the Trust. This may be through any of the ways identified above or it may be through other forms of
religious and non-religious care and support.
The chaplains provide a confidential listening and support service for all staff and this can take
place through formalised sessions, debriefs or through individual and informal meetings. Whilst
they do not operate as trained counsellors, the chaplains can often provide immediate support until
an appointment with the official staff support service can be arranged when formal counselling is
required.
If staff have particular spiritual needs in the workplace which are not being properly addressed or
met then the chaplains would be pleased to discuss these with a view to supporting staff and
improving working conditions in the Trust.
Page 10 of 11
Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012
5.2 Support following the death of a member of staff
Whenever a member of staff dies it can have a knock on effect for other staff working in the Trust.
These deaths may include:
 Anticipated death following illness or diagnosed disease
 Sudden death following tragic accidents such as car accidents
 Sudden death due to illnesses such as heart attack, brain haemorrhage
 Sudden death due to suicide
Each of the above scenarios can and has triggered different but important grief reactions in other
members of staff, particularly in close working colleagues.
Chaplains are available to assist in the following ways:
 Support the Director/Manager in breaking bad news to other staff.
 Support the Director/Manager in addressing their own needs while supporting others. They are
often in a very difficult position of managing the facts along with their own feelings and those of
their staff.
 Respond immediately (often quicker than staff support/health psychology) since there is always
a duty chaplain on-call.
 Offer professional (pastoral) listening/support for staff who may be in shock or need to talk
immediately as well as later.
 Helping to acknowledge feelings positively in short acts of remembrance and leading people in
appropriate corporate responses such as a prayerful silence where required.
 Be present at staff team debriefs - sometimes we can participate in or lead the debrief process
but more often it is enough that we are present.
 Reinforce our availability for continuing staff support following the event/debrief.
 Contact, write to, or be available (if appropriate) for the support of the staff member's
immediate family (spouse, partner, children).
 Help advise on cultural and religious matters relating to dying/death/funerals.
The possible benefits of this would include:
 Immediate support for staff when required.
 Improve staff "coping, normalisation and adjustment" following bad news - by helping staff to
understand normal grief processes.
 Reduce potential staff stress and sickness by means of faster interventions.
6. REVIEW
This policy will be reviewed in February 2015 and thereafter every three years by the Department
of Spiritual Care Review Group.
Next Review Date: February 2015
Page 11 of 11
Spiritual Health Care Policy for GHNHSFT – 29 February 2012
Issued by the “Department of Spiritual Care” for adoption by all Trust Staff
Created by Rev. Mark Read – Version 6. Dated 29 February 2012