Hospital Chaplaincies
Concern is mounting in a number of dioceses about the effect on chaplaincies as a number of Health Authorities seek to balance their budgets after overspends.
At a time of job cutbacks and financial restraint, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has stressed the need to secure effective chaplaincy services across the National Health Service. In a recent meeting with Health Minister, Lord Warner, Dr Williams voiced his concern about reports of disproportionate cuts in some parts of the country. He stressed that chaplaincy should neither be considered a 'soft target' not bear a disproportionate burden of staff reductions.
In Worcestershire, for example, the local Acute Hospitals NHS Trust was pressing ahead with a 70 per cent cut in hospital chaplaincy posts despite strong opposition from community groups, the Bishop of Worcester and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham.
Reports received from chaplaincy teams in other parts of England suggest that potentially harmful cuts are also underway elsewhere. There is widespread worry that the Worcestershire example, if not rescinded, might set a precedent.
Dr Williams pointed out to Lord Warner the importance of recognising that chaplains were not just part-time vicars, visiting their sick parishioners, but that in certain circumstances they were also confidantes of the hospital executives and the NHS Trust.
Lord Warner confirmed that the guidance issued in 2003 relating to chaplaincy services remained very much in place, and that he would be reminding Health Authorities of this. Dr Williams has written to all Anglican chaplains to assure them of his continuing support.