In the light of the first humanist chaplain to take a paid post this month in NHS hospitals in Leicester, the Revd Chris Swift (left) talks in the Guardian (22 February) about his work as head of chaplaincy services at Leeds teaching hospitals.
Chaplains ensure that all people, whether they're religious or not, have the opportunity to access pastoral, spiritual or religious support when they need it.
Chris says, “Being admitted to hospital often gives people an intimation of their own mortality, a reminder that things can and do change. This does present for some people a need for a conversation partner, someone who isn’t going to be fazed or frightened by talking about death. People want someone who has the time to listen intelligently."
Chaplains only see patients who have asked to be visited, or have been referred by a relative, a faith leader or ward staff.
Chris adds, “It’s challenging work. Often you know very little about a person or a family, and you have five or ten minutes to work out what they need at an extraordinarily painful moment.”
Read the full article here.