Spiritual Care Committee Report to Grampian NHS Board

Committee Meeting on 10 September 2015

Purpose of Report

This report updates the Grampian NHS Board on key issues arising from the Committee meeting on 10 September 2015which the Committee considers would be of interest to Board members.

Recommendation

The Board is asked to note the following key points:

1 Chaplaincy support to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital

The Committee meeting took place in the MacGillivray Centre inAberdeen Maternity Hospital and provided an opportunity for Committee members to gain some insight into the support thatchaplains provide to parents and families. Mark Rodgers, Head of Spiritual Care, described the practical and emotional support offered tofamiliesdealing with pregnancy loss and the very close work that takes place with the clinical teams. The Committee also heard about the options available to families in terms of burials and cremations. The Committee acknowledged the exceptional support provided by thechaplaincyteam at this very distressing time in peoples’ lives.

The Committee also noted thatin July his year Mark and colleagues had met with members of Dame Elish Angiolini’s team investigating historic complaints of parents who did not receive ashes, as part of the national review commissioned by the Government. It was noted that the visiting team gave very positive feedback from staff and parents about the support provided by the chaplaincy team in Grampian.

2 Baird Family Hospital

Gail Thomson, Project Manager, attended the meetingand gave a presentation on progress with the new Baird Family Hospital, particularly in relation to the collaboration and engagement that has been underway with staff groups. This has included the chaplaincy team and preliminary discussions around the new building have indicated that there will be space allocated to chaplaincy.

3 Choose Life – Act of Remembrance

The Committee heard from Donald Meston, chaplainfrom Royal Cornhill Hospital, who reported that an ‘Act of Remembrance’ would be taking place at the Town House in Aberdeen on Wednesday, September 11 to mark Suicide Prevention Week (September 9 – 13) and to remember those lost to suicide. The event, organised by Choose Life, was to be open to the public and residents from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire were being encouraged to attend.

The Committee noted the importance of theseevents in marking lives lost and providing people with an opportunity to come together and remember loved ones. They also provideda chance for those affected by the loss of someone to suicide to gain comfort and support from others.

Sector reports

In the acute sector report it was noted that a representative the chaplaincy team attends the new hospital-wide daily huddle every morning. There is representation from all areas and services supporting ARI and the huddle is an opportunity to discuss any issues for the day ahead. It ensures the hospital can run as safely as possible for patients and staff and has had the added benefit of increasing engagement between the chaplains and the clinical teams.

Rhona Atkinson

Chair

Spiritual Care Committee

September 2015

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