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Hospital priests get the chop

Asolepius said:
I could not help smiling at this report. I particularly liked: Oh happy day!
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Hmm, you're right of course, but a friend was very sick in hospital recently for over three months and although only an occasional church-goer, she has a strong belief and the visits from the CofE Vicar helped her, so I think that they cannot be phased out completely for a while yet, although definitely the time and cost should be greatly reduced, or of course covered by the churches. The BHA feel that their representatives should have an equal place.
 
I would feel better about hospital chaplains if they also offered atheist and humanist ones. But I can't disagree that when one is in extremis there is not much chance of a conversion to rationality, and little or no harm to be done by comforting words - even if they are empty of truth.
 
drkitten said:
And what would you expect an atheist chaplain to do?
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Well as I have myeloma, which has a median survival of 3-5 years, I have given this some thought recently. I think I would appreciate someone to talk to about how I'd like to be remembered. What to do to leave behind something of value. You know, rather trite things like that. A sense of humour would be good as well - but that would only work if I were not dominated by physical suffering. I would not want anyone coming round the ward to tell me I'm going to heaven, and to perform rituals.
 
I'm a bit confused -- are these chaplains paid for by the hospital, a governmental agency, or a private hospital agency?

Doesn't the Church (of whatever) support their own priests so they can go into hospitals for free?
 
Beerina said:
I'm a bit confused -- are these chaplains paid for by the hospital, a governmental agency, or a private hospital agency?

Doesn't the Church (of whatever) support their own priests so they can go into hospitals for free?
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They are paid by the trust which runs the hospital. The trust is part of the National Health Service, which is funded by central government. Thus the trust in the article is saving money by firing chaplains.
 
Asolepius said:
Well as I have myeloma, which has a median survival of 3-5 years, I have given this some thought recently. I think I would appreciate someone to talk to about how I'd like to be remembered. What to do to leave behind something of value. You know, rather trite things like that. A sense of humour would be good as well - but that would only work if I were not dominated by physical suffering. I would not want anyone coming round the ward to tell me I'm going to heaven, and to perform rituals.
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The number I read was 67% die before 5 years. I like your numbers better.

How are you doing, by the way? PM me sometime. Let's talk Myeloma. Or anything else you want...
 
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