Catholics in Healthcare
Catholics in Healthcare is an informative web-based resource designed to help Catholics working in health and social care fields in England and Wales to network with others, access resources and support, and live out their vocation as skilled, effective and committed care workers.
The Church has, since earliest times, been committed to caring for those who are sick or in need. Indeed, institutions established by churches and religious orders laid the foundations of the modern health service. Today, many lay Catholics work in the health service, in all disciplines and fields, and Catholic hospital chaplains provide a vital ministry. The contribution that the Church can make to ensure that the good of the human person is always placed at the heart of the health system cannot be overestimated.
The Bishops' Conference has been reviewing the engagement of the Church in healthcare for some time. At a seminar on Catholics in Healthcare attended by healthcare workers from a variety of disciplines three themes emerged as clear priorities for action:
The provision of a better structured basis to enable Catholic hospital chaplaincy to thrive with integrity in the fast changing world of the National Health Service.
The creation of a multi-disciplinary network or association to better enable the many lay Catholics working in healthcare to find mutual support.
The articulation of a Catholic spirituality of healthcare in the 21st Century.
Launch of Research Project
As part of the Healthcare Reference Group's programme we are working on a research project aimed at understanding how the NHS works with its employees and patients of faith.
Catholics, Christians and people of faith were invited to answer the survey on being a committed Christian in today’s NHS. The report following the survey is currently being written.
The Healthcare Reference Group is one of the working groups of the Department for Christian Responsibility and Citizenship.
Healthcare reference group strategy summary
(MS Word doc 112Kb)
Resources
Published by the Catholic Truth Society (CTS), there are a number of Caring for the Catholic Patient publications available for download.
See our resources section.
Bishop Tom Williams' message
This microsite will provide Roman Catholic healthcare staff with spiritual support, pastoral advice and the latest Church teaching on areas pertinent to healthcare.
Catholics in Healthcare carries two logos. The first is that of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the second is Keeping Faith, a title and design which links this important microsite with a series of documents produced by the Bishops' Conference and published by the Catholic Truth Society. These documents will inform the National Health Service of the uniqueness and beauty of our faith, they will seek to inspire Catholic staff and, be a comfort to Catholic patients.
Three documents have already been published: A Guide to Catholic Chaplaincy for NHS Managers & Trusts, Meeting the Pastoral Needs of Catholic Patients and The Mental Capacity Act & 'Living Wills'. You will find these documents and any future publications in our Resources section.
Please take a good look around this microsite - it aims to provide information and resources for Catholic Healthcare workers.
We would be delighted to hear from you if you have any comments and suggestions to make on this endeavour.
With every good wish.
Rt Rev Thomas A Williams
Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool
Chair, Healthcare Reference Group
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales