UNAPPROVED
NHS GRAMPIAN
Minute of the Spiritual Care Committee
held on Friday, 22 August 2008 at 10.00am
in Fulton Clinic Meeting Room, Royal Cornhill Hospital
Present:
David Cameron, Chairman (Chair)
Fred Coutts, Head of Spiritual Care
Stuart Hannabus, Humanist Society of Scotland
Laura Gray, Director of Corporate Communications
Elizabeth McDade, Non-Executive Board Member
Margaret Coll, Catholic Representative & Chaplain
Sue Kinsey, Patient Representative
Sylvia Spencer, Scottish Episcopal Church Representative and Chaplain
Nigel Firth, Equality & Diversity Manager
Helen Grant, Health NFSH
Mark Rodgers, Chaplain, NHSG
Muriel Knox, Chaplain, RCH
Laura McKenna, Administration Manager
Bill Mitchell, Services Manager, RCH
In Attendance:
Bob Gillies, Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney
Richard Carey, Chief Executive
Reverend Mark Rodgers
Jim Simpson, Chaplain RCH
Donald Meston, Chaplaincy, RCH
Pamela Adam, Assistant Chaplain, RCH
Stella Campbell, Chaplaincy Team – Student
Edmond Gatima, Chaplaincy Team – Student
Mary Innes
Item / Subject / Action /1 / Welcome and Introductions
David Cameron welcomed everyone and introductions were made round the table.
2. / Apologies
Apologies had been received from Harvey Grainger, Church of Scotland, Harriet Mowatt, Sharon Duncan, Staff Side Rep, John McKinnon, Infection Control Manager, Sarah Campbell, GREC, Kitty McDonald, Chaplaincy Volunteer, Ian Groves, Sessional Chaplaincy Rep, Jane Alton, Salvation Army
Matters Arising not on Agenda
A copy of Dr Shah’s presentation from the last meeting was still awaited. / FC
3. / Minutes of Meeting 9 May 2008
With the addition of Nigel Firth to the attendees, this was agreed as a true record.
4 / Matters Arising
4.1 / Chapel at Dr Gray’s Hospital
This was progressing and a working group was now in place with plans drawn up.
4.2 / Religion and Belief Matters Meeting
Laura, Fred and Nigel attended an event at which Geoff Lachlan addressed some senior members of staff. His report, Religion and Belief Matter, had been very well received.
5 / Scottish Episcopal Church (Bishop Bob Gillies, Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney)
Bishop Bob Gillies was welcomed to the meeting and gave a very interesting talk on the Christian Ministry of Healing which involved
narratives and sources from particular people rather than through theological perspective – it was entirely based on experience, structured talking, reflection, companionship of other people, prayer.
Following on from this, it was noted that in mental health it was more about healing and recovery than being cured. It was suggested that secular hospitals should be linked with healing abilities and the following was raised:
· It was an anxiety that the Data Protection Act had restricted access for people who had come on to the ward
· Trained clergy in hospital should always make themselves known to staff on the ward.
· If no Episcopalian chaplains on hand – any chaplain could step in
David thanked Bob for his very informative talk.
6 / Chaplains & Patient Information
This subject had been discussed by this Committee on a number of occasions and the paper presented to the OMT. A minute of that meeting was noted, along with a letter from the Assistant Information Commissioner for Scotland.
A short life working group had been set up to take forward the two recommendations from the OMT – (a) to agree clear lines of responsibility to ensure that all patients were given information about spiritual and religious care and (b) to ensure that a reliable system was put in place for information about consent.
In the meantime, it was important that information was recorded consistently and that the Spiritual Care Team worked closely with the people who had access to this information.
Representations had also been made nationally and it was recognised that this could not be solved at a local board level due to the legal implications.
It was also suggested that the working group should look at what was happening in other Boards in Scotland.
A Religious and Spiritual Support Card is now in use for patients to complete.
7 / Clinical Pastoral Education – Rev Mark Rodgers
Reverend Mark Rodgers was welcomed to the meeting and gave an insight into Clinical Pastoral Education. This was initially developed in the USA but was now available throughout the world. CPE involved recording verbatim conversations with patients and reflection on these conversations in group discussions. All work was confidential and anonymised. The focus was on listening, reflective and intervention skills.
David thanked Mark for his presentation.
8 / Research Project – Spiritual Interventions in the community for people with dementia (Rev Jim Simpson)
Reverend Simpson gave the background to carrying out this research. In April 2007, money was made available to do research, and along with Harriet Mowat, a proposal was prepared on Voicing the Spiritual: Working with People with Dementia which focused on the spiritual needs of people with dementia and their carers. This was accepted and a grant made available. The research involved the following:
· A participatory action research framework.
· A model for working with the spiritual with people with dementia, their carers, volunteers and paid staff was developed.
· Applying the model in practice involved: developing relationships through one-to-one and group sessions, developing the opportunity for “expressive space” involving art work, singing, etc, and developing the relationship so that it became normalised and cherished.
· From these activities, it was learnt that the clinical diagnosis of dementia required spiritual support and help and it was recognised that the positive approach of the volunteers and staff was important.
· The actual effect on individuals cannot easily be measured but the warmth and laughter between the development workers and participants was nevertheless evident.
· It was hoped that a training CD would be developed and disseminated to all groups working with people with dementia.
9 / NHS 60th Service – Sunday 2 November 2008
The 60th Anniversary of the NHS was in July but it had been decided to hold a service of Thanksgiving in King’s College Chapel on Sunday, 2 November to which all were invited.
10 / Getting in right at the end – Caring for the dying and bereaved – a Working Guide for NHS Staff
This document was out for consultation and had been circulated to the meeting previously. Any comments back to Fred.
The document was found to be very good, well presented and user friendly. It covered both the needs of the patient and the needs of the family.
11 / Spiritual Care in Mental Health
Muriel Knox gave a flavour of what went on in Cornhill Hospital Chaplaincy, including the following:
· An overview of the chaplaincy department which covered Acute wards, Old Age Psychiatry wards, both functional and organic, Day Hospitals and mental health in the community.
· Trying to encourage faith groups to include people with mental health issues.
· The importance of the chapel was recognised as it was an integral part of the hospital.
· Details of the 3 R’s initiative which stood for rights, relationships and recovery and distributed materials on this. This initiative involved staff being trained in the 10 essential shared capabilities and the spiritual care policy. It was noted that the shared capabilities were also the basis of the Scottish Chaplaincy Capabilities.
Discussion also took place on the increase of cases of depression and a small support group had been set up by the chaplains in Cornhill Hospital. This support group did not focus on the illness but talked about other things, eg whole life experience.
12 / Report on Evaluation Workshop
Alan Gray from PWC attended the evaluation workshop and the following considerations were noted:
· To accommodate presentations and provision of additional time to be considered. It was agreed that this would be taken on board. Yes we should implement that.
· The committee will keep under review the representation on the committee and the level of dialogue with community based services. It was recognised that this was already in place and would continue.
· Give further consideration to how the links between the committee and the Patient Focus/Public Involvement and Staff Governance Committees could be enhanced. It was agreed that there should be more links with PFPI Committee.
· OMT to consider options on how best to integrate spiritual care resources within the effective delivery of healthcare to patients. This was ongoing.
· The Annual Report to be distributed to all Board members. This was agreed.
The Committee accepted these comments and would now take forward
13 / Report from the Head of Spiritual Care
The following was noted:
· Students on placement
· Chaplaincy team staffing had now reached some sort of stability
· Attendance at the memorial service for Piper Alpha
· Changes to staffing
· Dates for the Annual Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance and the Annual Study Day
14 / AOCB
None.
15 / Date of Next Meeting
The date of the next meeting is 7 November at 10.00 am in the Conference Room, Summerfield House
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