CHRISTIAN churches and other faith groups in Abbotsford have offered to provide up to $25,000 toward hiring a part-time chaplain/spiritual care practitioner at Abbotsford Regional Hospital.

This would partially fill the gap left after Fraser Health Authority eliminated a dozen spiritual care practitioner positions as a cost-cutting measure last fall. Fraser Health is also planning to hire a part-time regional spiritual educator to train volunteers to take over some of the spiritual care.

Continue article >>

Presbyterian minister Hans Kouwenberg, who has taken a leading role in organizing the response of the faith community, said Fraser Health has also agreed to reinstate the practice of asking patients for their spiritual preferences.

This would help the volunteers connect to patients who want their assistance. – JC

May 2010