For professionals
Healthcare Chaplains practice in a professional environment that places certain expectations and obligations upon them. In particular, the government (1) expect healthcare services to be:
- Fair – equally available to all, taking full account of personal circumstances and diversity
- Personalised – tailored to the needs and wants of each individual, especially the most vulnerable and those in greatest need, providing access to services at the time and place of their choice
- Effective – focused on delivering outcomes for patients that are among the best in the world
- Safe – as safe as it possibly can be, giving patients and the public the confidence they need in the care they receive .
Implicit in this vision is a requirement for healthcare professionals to be trained with the necessary skills and competencies to deliver high quality care, regulated to ensure that they meet professional standards in the best interests of patients, and with safeguards to address poor practice and to protect the public:
"In order to assure a safe and high-quality experience for patients across the spectrum of their encounters with health professionals, we need to ensure proportionate arrangements for all the professions involved. There can be no weak links in the chain of care ."(2)
- Darzi, A (2007) NHS Next Stage Review Interim Report. London: Department of Health
- Secretary of State for Health (2007) Trust, Assurance and Safety: The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century. London: The Stationery Office