Background
The Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy (ICHC) (Registered Charity Number CC21346)
has, since a
decision of the NZ Government (Cabinet decision CM 72/9/14 of 6
March1972), been the national provider of hospital chaplaincy services in
New Zealand under a shared funding arrangement between the Government's
Health Department/ Ministry and the Churches. The Government wished to deal
with only one body on behalf of the Churches. As a result the Interchurch
Council for Hospital Chaplaincy, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Charitable Trust
Inc. is the national chaplaincy body of nine Churches involved in the provision of a professional healthcare
chaplaincy service. The nine churches
are:
Anglican,
ACTS Churches New Zealand,
Baptist,
Catholic,
Christian
Churches New Zealand, Congregational,
Methodist,
Presbyterian and
Salvation Army. Chaplains are sometimes appointed from other Christian
denominations as it is policy to appoint the best applicant to a position.
The Place of Spiritual Care
Spiritual well-being is a fundamental
right under the UN Declaration of Human Rights. This has been recognised
under the Health and Disabilities (Safety) Act 2001 under which New Zealand
healthcare standards for the accreditation of hospitals are set. These
provide for patients to have access to the spiritual care of their choice
and have their cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices upheld, in
particular those regarding death and dying.
These standards became mandatory from 1 October 2004.
The presence of ecumenical and Catholic hospital chaplains (and chaplaincy assistants under supervision of a chaplain) enables this standard for hospital accreditation to be met.
Access to chaplaincy services and exit from the service is by way of: self referral e.g. indicated on admission forms, requests to nurse or chaplaincy staff; referral by immediate family or extended whanau; referral by hospital staff; referral by other health workers including DSS workers, GPs etc; referral by marae and church based organisations; referral by Iwi health providers and other Maori providers; referral by community groups, organisations and related services; referral by government agencies e.g. Social, Justice, Education.
The chaplain also has an important role in the spiritual support of Hospital staff and their family (NZ Health Standards 2.4 & 6.3.8) for those who wish to avail themselves of it.
The Hospital Chaplain is an important member of the multi-disciplinary care team and the spiritual support offered is an important contribution to the holistic model of care New Zealand's Health Services are seeking to provide.
Under no circumstances will a chaplain or chaplaincy assistant attempt to provide services to any person who indicates they do not wish to receive such service, or who indicates they have a preference for spiritual care or ministry to be provided by some other person or organisation. Chaplains will, on request, assist in locating a patient's own spiritual adviser or any member of their faith they wish to see.
Accountability and Complaints about
Chaplaincy Services
Complaints or Incident
Reports lodged by individuals or with Hospitals, about chaplains or the
chaplaincy service are referred to the Executive Officer, ICHC for
investigation.
The Chaplain's Role
ICHC and the Ministry of Health have
agreed that the chaplain's role is to address the spiritual, emotional and
pastoral needs of patients particularly where their illness has presented a
major threat or trauma (spiritually and emotionally) and which may render
patients and/or their whanau/family, vulnerable.