From the Bishop of Wakefield
Sir, — Dr Clive Huw Morgan’s letter (10 September) is most encouraging. When I came to this particular post some seven years ago, I was told that I would need a full medical before I was formally appointed and thereafter I would also need to agree to a medical every two years. Although this was daunting at the time, I also found this encouraging, and it has helped alert me to all the issues of healthy living and working.
It did, however, make me think about why, in all the other posts that I had occupied, I had not been required to think about these issues or indeed subject myself to a medical. In the light of this, I discussed the issue with my colleagues in the diocesan staff, and after careful discussion and some research we were able to set up a scheme of medicals every two years for all the clergy. These medicals are entirely voluntary, and also entirely confidential. The only knowledge we have of the medicals is when we receive the bill to cover their costs.
We are not a well-off diocese, and it has not been easy to put together the wherewithal to cover these costs. Nevertheless, we are quite clear that this is a crucial issue for all. I do hope that Dr Morgan’s initiative will encourage us all to take the issue of a healthy clergy seriously.
STEPHEN WAKEFIELD
Bishop’s Lodge, Woodthorpe Lane
Wakefield WF2 6JL