The BHA has today welcomed a report by the Royal College of Nursing which looks into what they are calling ‘spiritual’ needs of patients. The needs of respect for privacy, dignity and religious and cultural beliefs, spending time with patients giving support and reassurance especially in a time of need and showing kindness, concern and cheerfulness when giving care, were all considered part of care that patients are missing out on.
The overwhelming majority (80%) felt that the need for ‘spiritual’ care also applies to atheists and agnostic patients and 91% of nurses believe that they can provide spiritual care by listening, and allowing patients time to discuss their fears, anxieties and troubles. Importantly, almost all (94%) did not believe that spirituality involves only going to church or a place of worship.
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented, ‘That nurses have asked for specific training and guidance to enable them to treat all patients more holistically is to be welcomed. So often we hear that ‘spiritual needs’ can only be met by religious means, yet the survey has shown that personalised care and giving nurses guidance and time to get to know their patients is highly important.
‘It also suggests that the, often publically funded, religious chaplaincy service in the NHS is simply not reaching everyone. Perhaps the majority of people in the UK would rather have a nurse or a Humanist volunteer offering them comfort or time to discuss concerns. Unfortunately, focus continues to be on funding religious chaplaincy services and no training that humanist volunteers can access for free. Until that changes, the legitimate needs identified in this report may continue to be ignored.’
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For further comment or information, contact Andrew on 020 3675 0959.
Read more about our work on ‘chaplaincy’.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity representing and supporting the interests of ethically concerned, non-religious people in the UK.