The Department issued guidance to national health service trusts in November 2003. “Meeting the Religious and Spiritual Needs of Patients and Staff” sets out a framework for the context and provision of chaplaincy and spiritual care services throughout the NHS that meet the needs of today's multi-cultural and spiritually diverse society.
NHS organisations have always been responsible for the provision of chaplaincy and spiritual care services. Funding for this is built into financial allocations to primary care trust, who commission hospital services on behalf of patients. “Shifting the Balance of Power”, published in 2002, empowered NHS trusts to give front line staff more say in how resources are allocated and services are delivered locally.