Post date: Aug 24, 2017 2:50:4 PM
At their November 2016 meeting, the Revd Phil Winn, Hospital Chaplain at Milton Keynes University Hospital and Hospital Bereavement Officer, Kim Weston, attended to present to the Council of Faith.
Phil explained that the chaplaincy works closely with the bereavement team and provide spiritual support at the end of life. There are two in the chaplaincy team, himself and Sarah Crane, plus admin support from Chris.
They look after staff, patients and relatives. They get referrals from relatives, faith groups and wards.
There is a chapel and prayer room in the hospital. There are more weddings happening in hospitals. Services; Christians Thursday am, Muslims Friday lunchtime. There are memorial services, eg for those who have lost a baby or for staff who have died.
There is a 24 x 7 on call service. There is always a catholic priest on call. Can call in people from many different faiths, especially at end of life.
Bereavement Service: Kim and Tina organise the death certificate. They sometimes get complaints about treatment, issue with communication between doctors and relatives.
There are nearly 900 deaths per year at the hospital, an increasing number are being referred to the coroner.
Both services are funded by the NHS, but not the booklets. Humanists say that the NHS shouldn’t fund faith groups.