Provision of Spiritual Care (Pre-Scoping)

A working group, chaired by Rev Chris Levison, was established in September 2003. A report was issued by the Group in September 2005.

Over the last few years, the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) has undertaken several initiatives highlighting the need for whole person care which is responsive to the needs of individuals and communities of varying culture, background and belief. These have included Patient Focus and Public Involvement, Fair For All, Partnership for Care, and HDL (2002) 76 'Spiritual Care in NHS Scotland'. In light of this ongoing work and a realisation of the changes in society with regard to beliefs and communities, a Scoping Group was convened by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) to look at the current status of the provision of spiritual care in NHSScotland and to consider NHS QIS products which may support and contribute to better provision of this care.

 

A draft report was produced by the group and presented to the Board of NHS QIS in March 2005. A seminar to present the findings of the report and to discuss other ongoing work around the provision of spiritual care in the healthcare setting was held by the group. Following the seminar, a revised version of the report was published, incorporating accounts of good practice within the field of spiritual care across NHSScotland. A copy of this report is available by clicking the link above, from which you may print locally.

 

In 2002, SEHD issued HDL 2002 (76) Spiritual Care in NHSScotland. This asked each Board to write and implement a policy which took into account both the needs of the local community and national initiatives and national policy drivers such as 'Partnership for Care' and 'Fair for All'. As further response to this circular, a Scoping Study Group was established by NHS QIS to identify the key issues within the provision of spiritual care in NHSScotland, and recommend where NHS QIS could best support quality improvement within this service.