What is Spiritual Care?
There is a part of us that can seek to discover meaning, purpose or hope in those aspects of our experience that matter most to us. This is often referred to as ‘spirituality’, informing our personal values and beliefs, and affirming that tears, laughter, pain and joy are all part of the human experience. Spiritual care is integral to the holistic person-centred care offered by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The spiritual care team is an inclusive part of health and social care teams who work alongside us and in partnership with other healthcare professionals.
‘Spirituality is central to our health and well-being. Spiritual well-being encompasses the physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements that connect to our individual response and reaction to life events such as joy, sadness, health, illness, birth and death. Spiritual care recognises and responds to the needs of the human spirit, and begins with encouraging human contact in a compassionate relationship, and moves in whatever direction need requires.’ (Adapted from Spiritual Care Matters, NES, 2021.)
Who We Are
NHSGGC registered chaplains are trained professionals who offer confidential, compassionate, inclusive, non-judgemental, person-centred spiritual, emotional and bereavement care and support for all hospital communities in our health board.
The spiritual care team are available to support and listen to everyone, including family and friends, staff, students and volunteers – this includes people of all backgrounds, faiths and no religious beliefs, who have equal access to the spiritual care service.
Chaplains in the Spiritual Care Service can support you by providing care that meets your needs. This may include:
- Offering an inclusive, caring, confidential space for you to reflect or talk openly about whatever is on your mind
- Listening sensitively to your story and all that you are going through, for example by helping you celebrate life events and / or mark times of remembrance
- Dealing with a new diagnosis or difficult news
- Helping to nurture hope for some and build resilience, for example if you feel anxious or afraid, or you are experiencing a significant life event
- Facilitating prayer and rituals including liaising with different faith and belief groups if required by you
- Signposting you or your family/friends to additional sources of support with your consent, for example if you are affected by bereavement or loss
- Advocating on your behalf to support your physical, spiritual, emotional and/or mental wellbeing, for example if you are affected by stress.
NHSGGC Sanctuaries
Sanctuaries are available at many of our NHSGGC hospital sites. They are neutral, non-religious spaces available for everyone to use at any time of day or night and provide:
- Quiet spaces to reflect, pray or meditate
- A variety of reading materials
- Some religious items