Care In NHS Scotland Research Articles

Spiritual Care in NHS Scotland, A Unitarian Response

The author identifies the best practice of spiritual and religious care as encompassing the ‘non-religious, alternatively religious and differently religious’, an approach which accords well with the Unitarian tradition. He therefore welcomes the recognition in ’Spiritual Care in NHS Scotland’ of the breadth of spiritual care which the NHS chaplain is called upon to provide, but expresses concern lest ‘the spiritual element’ should become simply another NHS specialism,, when it is the concern and province of all.

Spiritual Care in NHS Scotland, A Non-Religious Perspective

‘Spiritual Care in NHSScotland’ seeks to differentiate between religious and spiritual care. Yet the latter is not adequately addressed as a separate concept, and the definition which is given of it is unduly dependent upon established psychological theories. The author poses the question as to whether the education of staff in spiritual care, as opposed to religious care, ought necessarily to be the province of the chaplaincy at all.

Spiritual Care in NHSScotland

While welcoming some of the provisions of ‘Spiritual Care in NHSScotland’ he author regards part time chaplains as being ‘conspicuously absent’ from the guidelines, despite the implication that their numbers might increase if more faith communities decide to appoint. Concern is expressed that the lack of attention to the development of part time chaplaincy might seriously undermine what has hitherto been considered to be an important aspect of the chaplaincy service.

Spiritual Care in NHSScotland, Scottish Association of Chaplains in Healthcare

The author welcomes ’Spiritual Care in NHSScotland’ as evidence that spiritual care provision has been acknowledged as a vital part of NHS healthcare. The establishment of spiritual care committees will enable a strategic overview of spiritual care services, and will give chaplains themselves the opportunity to influence the direction and future shape of chaplaincy. Welcome too is the emphasis upon the support, training and development of chaplains. However, concern is expressed over the issue of funding the proposed changes, in the absence of any pledge of new money from the Scottish Executive.

Spiritual Care in NHSScotland

‘Spiritual Care in NHSScotland’ emphasises spiritual care as broader than religious care, and makes clear the importance of well resourced spiritual and religious care within healthcare. In response, chaplaincy must become more accountable and professional. There are implications for ongoing training and registration of chaplains, and this may well create difficulties for part time and volunteer chaplains, as well as for church authorities. However, the Guidelines are to be welcomed as a means to improving practice in healthcare settings.

Spiritual Care in NHSScotland

‘Spiritual Care in NHSScotland’ carries forward key emphases of earlier policy documents, regarding patient centred services, patient involvement, and culturally appropriate services. It reflects the values of openness, respect, accountability and inclusion. The challenge is to reflect upon the values which underpin change, and to apply them to create a positive spiritual environment within healthcare. The guidelines are welcomed as moving in the direction of a truly person centred NHS.

Spiritual Care in NHSScotland

On behalf of CHCC Scotland, the author welcomes ‘Spiritual Care in NHSScotland,’ while recognising that much depends on its local implementation. Its clarification of the nature of spiritual care, the role of the care giver and the sharing of patient information is timely. Reservation is however expressed about the role of the proposed Spiritual Care Committee.

'IT'S CHAPLAINCY JIM, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT'. A LEAD CHAPLAIN REFLECTS ON CHANGE.

The author describes the developments initiated by the chaplaincy team at the Lothian university Hospitals Division of NHS Lothian, both in preparation for and in response to NHS HDL 76(2002) 'Spiritual Care in NHS Scotland'. These developments have included changes in teamworking, closer relationships with faith communities, and a new sanctuary without any dominant religious symbolism.

Standards for NHS Scotland Chaplaincy Services

A scoping group established by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and the Healthcare Chaplaincy Training and Development Unit, (HCTDU, now part of NHS Education for Scotland (NES)) was asked to scope awareness and provision of Spiritual Care in NHS Scotland. The group produced a report covering a survey and literature research. Following a seminar May 2005 in which this report was discussed along with some current research, a further group began work on chaplaincy service standards. A consultation conference held on 27 th June 2006 brought much support and many comments on the standards document. Despite some hesitation in trying to measure things spiritual, these standards should be a useful audit tool and an aid for future work on competencies and help development towards national standards or good practice statements on spiritual and religious care in NHS Scotland.

Podiatry care in rheumatoid arthritis: differences between current and ideal service provision

Background Foot and ankle involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is common, impacting negatively on quality of life. Stakeholder perceptions of podiatric service provision are unknown. Given the importance of specialist podiatry care, this knowledge would be beneficial. This study explored opinions of people with RA and podiatrists regarding current and ideal podiatry care in NHS Scotland. Methods Two focus groups were conducted with participants from five NHS Health Boards in Scotland. One focus group involved people with RA who previously received podiatry care, and the other, podiatrists who treat people with RA. The Framework approach was used to identify core concepts and associated themes. Results Five people with RA (all female) with mean ± SD age of 53.6 ± 6.6 years and disease duration 15 ± 11 years participated in the first focus group. The average duration of podiatry care was 7 years (range 3-15). Six rheumatology specialist podiatrists participated in the second focus group. Both groups identified similar issues with current care and steps that could be taken to achieve ideal service provision. ‘Access to health care services’ (core concept one) had associated themes of ‘access facilitated’ and ‘access inhibited’. ‘Tailored podiatry service for the complex needs of people with RA’ (core concept two) had associated themes of ‘podiatry service location’, ‘profile of podiatry’, ‘foot health interventions’, ‘podiatrist skills’ ,a nd‘service review’. ‘Tailored service’ also emerged from the podiatrist focus group. Conclusions Podiatry care was regarded as a positive and important part of overall care for people with RA. However, more integrated specialist services with moves towards a national model of care may be beneficial. Participating podiatrists widely endorsed these themes. Greater concurrence between stakeholders could lead to more flexible and accessible services better meeting patient need.

The Nursing Contribution to Quality Health Care in NHSScotland

The Quality Strategy for NHSScotland aims to deliver the highest quality health care services to people in Scotland, and NHSScotland is well on its way to ensuring world-leading health care that has people at its center. The recognition that good relationships need to underpin how we deliver services is based on the values of respect, trust, and compassion among staff members, service users, and their families as well as within teams. These values and behaviors form the basis of innovative projects that are revitalizing the care and compassion at the heart of NHSScotland. With regulation existing to protect the public and ensure nurses, midwives, and other health professionals practice with the necessary competencies and conduct to deliver safe, effective, and person-centered care, the future of health care delivery is promising.