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Southport and Ormskirk NHS chaplaincy

by
19 July 2013

iStock

From the Revd Martin Abrams
Sir, - I would like to offer a point of clarification on your otherwise helpful and informative article "Survey finds widespread cuts in NHS hospital chaplaincy" ( News, 5 July).

Southport and Ormskirk is one of the Trusts that has maintained, and possibly increased, its investment in chaplaincy and spiritual care. The statement that the Trust has reduced its chaplains from six to one is not an accurate reflection of the current position.

It was the Church of England that some years ago asked the Trust to review its chaplaincy provision. On the recommendation of the review, lead by a representative of the College of Health Care Chaplains, it is true to say a number of part-time chaplains were replaced by a full- time hospital chaplain. The full-time hours roughly equated to the part- time hours. Besides the full-time post, there are two Roman Catholic chaplains, working under a service-level agreement, two bank chaplains, and more than a dozen chaplaincy volunteers.

Within the challenging budgetary situation, the Trust is very supportive of enhancing and developing its chaplaincy provision. Arguably, the profile of chaplaincy is greater than it has been previously.

MARTIN ABRAMS
Hospital Chaplain
Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care
Southport andOrmskirkNHS Trust
Town Lane, Kew
Southport PR86PN

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