4 Stumblemead
Balcombe
West Sussex
RH17 6LR
Tel: 01444 811413
email:
5th September 2008
Dear Sussex Partnership NHS Trust
I have completed the Spirituality Strategy Consultation Proforma, as representative of the British Humanist Association and in my capacity as a local development volunteer. The BHA has endorsed this final draft.
I have recently modified the Sussex publication “Faith and Culture in our Community”. I am an active member of Crawley Inter Faith Network and attend WSCC Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education (SACRE).
The BHA fully supports the PCT’s efforts to engage with the local community and third sector organisations, and it’s commitment to equality and diversity guidelines and legislation.
It is rather disappointing however that the PCT has decided to use the term “spirituality”, both in the title and content of the strategy. Presumably this is because of the government’s increasing use of the term (e.g. NHS Chaplaincy Guide) and other organisations (e.g. Marie Curie Foundation).
It would be far preferable for Sussex Partnership PCT to develop an inclusive policy based on patients' and staff needs for support consistent with theirreligious/non-religious beliefs and cultural practices. It should focus on well-being, personal & pastoral support, and respect for people'sright to their religious/non-religious beliefs.
“Spirituality” will always have religious connotations; for this reason, it is inappropriate for a neutral public body to use the term. The main reasons are outlined below.
1.The term “spirituality” is too vague. There are clearly understood alternatives which avoid such ambiguity. In my completed proforma, I have suggested using alternative terms such as “well-being”, “mental well-being” or “mental and emotional well-being”, “religious, mental and emotional”, etc.
2.The increasing use of the term “spirituality” by government organisations bolsters the apparent importance of religious organisations at a time when religion is in overall decline. The BHA is fighting religious privilege on all fronts, and yet the government is pressing for more religious involvement in the welfare and education system, despite overwhelming public opposition. There is a difference between respecting the rights of individuals to practice a religion, and increasing the power of religious organisations, some of which are becoming increasingly socially divisive.
3.The use of the term “spiritual” is divisive. Many people would not describe themselves as “spiritual”. Policies directed towards supporting the “spiritual” side alienate such people.Religious needs are “spiritual” needs; other needs are physical, mental and emotional.
4.“Spirituality” is such a general and vague term that the PCT will be forced to revert to well-defined terms in order to create concrete policy.
The simple solution to the problem is to drop the term and use clearly defined, widely understood alternatives.
Apart from item 1, I have completed the Proforma assuming that the term “spiritual” is a precise term.
You will see from Item 1 the inconsistency throughout the document between the statement “Spirituality includes religion ...” on page 1 and the phrase “spirituality and religion” throughout the rest of the document. A simple comparison would be a school drawing up provisions for “science and chemistry”; it simply doesn’t make sense. Presumably the continual use of the phrase “spirituality and religion” is to appease religious organisations, despite the disclaimer on Page 1 that the use of the term “spiritual” is not intended to marginalise religion.
Human rights and equality legislation now requires the term “religion” to be replaced by “religion and/or belief”, where possible. The use of the term “faith” undermines this, and should be avoided where possible, as it refers exclusively to religious belief. The term “faith” needs to be replaced with “religious and/or non-religious belief”.
We live in a largely secular country and the NHS is a secular organisation that must be seen to be fair and neutral. There is no provision for paid Humanist chaplains, despite the fact that at least 36% of the population prefer Humanist beliefs. The non-religious deserve just as much support as the religious.
I hope you will take these comments seriously, as they are made with sincerity and a genuine desire to improve the strategy.
Regards
Andrew Edmondson
(Local Development Volunteer working on behalf of the British Humanist Society)
Spirituality Strategy Consultation Proforma
- Are there any statements in the Strategy that you would like to see changed and if so, why?
Strongly recommended: do not use the terms “spiritual”, “spirituality”, “spirit”,“faith” (please see covering letter above).
Replace “spirituality” with “well-being”, “mental well-being” or “mental and emotional well-being” or even “religious, mental and emotional well-being”
Replace “spiritual” with “mental and emotional” (e.g. “spiritual needs” becomes “mental and emotional needs”) or “religious, mental and emotional”
Remove all references to “spirit”.
Replace “religion” with “religion and/or belief” in accordance with Human Rights legislation.
Replace “faith” with “religious and/or non-religious belief”.
Page 1 (from this point, I am assuming that “spirituality” will be used in this document)
Para 1
The statement “Spirituality includes religion ...” on page 1 and the phrase “spirituality and religion” throughout the rest of the document are inconsistent. Replace “spirituality and religion” with “spirituality” throughout the document (but see blue text above).
“Spirituality” is not common to all people, but some non-religious people may describe themselves as “spiritual”.
“Spirituality” includes “religion and belief”, as per Human Rights and Equality legislation (I will not refer to this again, as there are too many instances where “religion” needs replacing with “religion and/or belief”)
Para 2
“Religions are systems of belief and practice that have usually evolved over centuries.”
Para 3
“There is no single, clear philosophy.”
Para 3
“Its focus is more on what works, than on why it works”. What does this mean in the context of “spirituality”. Can you explain further?
“... power, energy ...in a person”. These are vague terms that further demonstrate that “spirituality” is not a useful concept in the field of health.
“or simply the heart”. As above.
Para 4
Delete “Religion and spirituality share many of the same concerns”. You have already stated that religion is part of spirituality, so the latter contains the former. Also, the statement doesn’t appear to lead anywhere.
We feel that the PCT shouldnot state that everyone has a “spirit”. Service users may take offence if a nurse or “spiritual champion” referred to their “spirit”. We suggest removing this section and all references to “spirit”; the meaning of the paragraph is “some people are religious, others are not but have equally important mental and emotional needs.”
Page 2
Para 1
Some people do not believe “spirit” exists.
Para 2
This paragraph implies that there are, eventually, a set of people for whom “spirituality” is unimportant or irrelevant to them, i.e. people who have no “spiritual” needs. Is this what you intended? It seems to contradict other statements, e.g. “... all people experience that which could be described as a spirit ...” on Page 1.
“,,, journey towards personal and emotional growth.” Delete “spiritual”, because “... these people do not think of spirit as a useful way of defining this aspect of human life... “
Some people may question placing matters such as “Who am I?”, “Why am I here?”, “Is there anything more than the world of sense experience?” at the centre of the care you provide. There may be more important aspects of mental and emotional well-being that should occupy this central position.
Do you agree with the eight elements of the Strategy that aim to deliver spiritual care? Is each element moving in the right direction?
- Make spirituality a central aspect of the care we provide. (page 6)
- Identify and resource ‘spirituality champions’. (page 7)
- Make a visible commitment to spiritual care. (page 7)
- Employ an appropriately skilled chaplaincy service (page 8)
- Involve Service Users and Faith Communities
- Work in partnership with Faith Communities and Charities
- Work in partnership with Faith Communities and Charities
- Support staff and carers
- Encourage innovation
3. Have we omitted elements that we should address? Does the strategy go far enough to effect real change in the way care is provided?
- Is there anything else that you think should be included in the Strategy?
4. What training or tools would help embed this culture change?
5. Are you broadly in support of this Strategy in light of the comments you have made?
Please feel free to add any other comments:
Will I be able to see the next draft prior to publication?
Would you like to receive a copy of the Strategy when it is approved?Yes
Completed by Andrew Edmondson
Organisation: British Humanist Association (regional group Mid Sussex Freethinkers)
Address/Contact for enquiries:
Andrew Edmondson
4 Stumblemead
Balcombe
West Sussex
RH17 6LR
Tel no: 01444
Please return the completed proforma by 12 September 2008 to
Spirituality Strategy Consultation
c/o Simon Street
Business Manager
Sussex Partnership NHS Trust
Trust Headquarters
Arundel Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN13 3EP
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