Hansard

Hospital Chaplains

Volume 451: debated on Monday 6 November 2006

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Peter Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what her policy is on the employment of hospital chaplains in NHS hospitals; and what guidance her Department offers to local NHS trusts on the role of hospital chaplains; (92450)

(2) if she will examine the proposals to reduce the chaplaincy service at the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS trust; and if she make an assessment of their impact on the work of the trust and its service to patients and their families.

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Department is committed to the principle of ensuring that patients and staff in the NHS have access to spiritual care, whatever faith or belief system they follow.

NHS trusts are responsible for delivering religious and spiritual care in a way that meets the diverse needs of their patients. Issues concerning staffing chaplaincy services in hospital are a matter for local determination. However, we expect NHS trusts to adhere to guidance “NHS Chaplaincy: Meeting the Religious and Spiritual Needs of Patients and Staff”.

Peter Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to answer questions 92450 and 92451, on hospital chaplaincy, tabled by the hon. Member for Mid Worcestershire on 6 October. (99502)