Suchergebnisse

The integrity of personhood refers to the wholeness or intactness of the self in all its diverse aspects. Life threatening illness can compromise the intactness of the self in many ways, four of which are examined here ; the resultant suffering can be understood as spiritual pain, since spirituality and the integration of the self are closely connected. The needs of persons faced with the threat of dis-integration of the self are examined, and it is suggested that such needs may be best met by carers in four ways :- by Seeing, Listening, Loving , Respecting the Mystery. To do this requires not so much professional expertise as a way of being, a quality of presence which depends upon who we really are, as persons.

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The author reflects upon two brief scenarios describing examples of encounters with patients.

The Church of Scotland is currently exploring the possibility that all Healthcare Chaplains should be directly employed by the NHS. This is in response to developments both within the NHS and within the Church itself. This article contains reflections upon this issue, from four different perspectives. We hear from the convenor of the relevant church sub-committee, from a whole time chaplain and head of department, from a part time chaplain, and from a parish priest who reflects some of the concerns of the Roman Catholic Church.

The following article arises out of an interview with Fred Coutts from the chaplaincy department of the Grampian University Hospitals, which includes Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital. Fred describes a recent period of crisis in the life of the hospital, and how during this period, the chaplaincy department was able to provide a service to both hospital and community. By the nature of their training and day to day work, the chaplains were perhaps uniquely well able to provide this service.

Shirley Seabury is a bereavement counsellor working within West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust. She has extensive experience with parents whose baby has been stillborn or has died shortly after birth. In the following article, Shirley reflects upon her role, and adds her own perspective in the light of the publicity surrounding the retention of organs at AlderHey, and in Scotland, the McLean Report.