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STRICTLY BUSINESS FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: Suggestion of prayer is a no-no for hospital staff.
It was a major topic of conversation at the annual British Medical Association meeting last week. According to WorldNet Daily, physicians said they are fearful because of a Department of Health written warning against suggesting prayer for sick patients.
The government document said their religious suggestions could be interpreted as harassment.
"I think it is getting to the point where many of us feel we cannot talk to patients about their spiritual or religious needs or ask them about praying," Dr. Bernadette Birtwhistle, a cancer specialist, told a BBC reporter, adding that "Christianity is being seen as something that is unhelpful," she said. "… Freedom of speech is being curtailed too much, and I don't think that it is always in the benefit of patients."
In another case a Catholic nurse resigned from her hospital post after being ordered by managers to remove her gold crucifix necklace. According to reports, Helen Slatter, 43, was ordered into a disciplinary hearing after she refused orders to get rid of the cross. Gloucestershire Royal Hospital officials said the chain and crucifix were a health and safety risk to patients.
Doctors and nurses said their argument is they should not be disciplined for raising the issue of faith or prayer as long as they handle it sensitively, according to the BBC. When asked about issue by a BBC reporter a Department of Health official said it is the responsibility of chaplains in the National Health Service to offer spiritual counseling and advice.
"We are committed to the principle of ensuring that patients and staff in the NHS have access to the spiritual care that they want, whatever faith or belief system they follow," said a spokeswoman for the federal agency. "Although all staff should be sensitive to religious needs and preferences of patients, the delivery of spiritual care should be provided by the hospital chaplaincy service."
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