Abstract

What is meant by 'spiritual care'? How can we assess and communicate the needs of a child in hospital effectively if we each have conflicting interpretations of 'spiritual'?

This book proposes that we use a language of 'connectedness', which can fully express a child's feelings about, and understanding of, their hospital experience, rather than relying on religious or medical language. In doing so, assessments can be made purely on information given by the child and their emotional and spiritual needs can be communicated between professionals using a shared professional language, regardless of their own faith, religion or secular outlook. The book fully explains the concept of connectedness and outlines a practical assessment tool that uses play and storytelling to connect with the child and gather information about their hospital experience, their relationships with others while in the hospital setting, their feelings about their current state and their needs.

This book will improve communication between medical practitioners, chaplains and other support services, enabling them to provide the best support for children in their care. It will also be of interest to academics in healthcare, theology and psychology.

Alister Bull is Council Secretary for Mission and Discipleship at the Church of Scotland. He worked as a healthcare chaplain for over ten years and led the spiritual care team at Yorkhill Children's Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary. He is based in Glasgow, UK.
This important book is both practical and inspirational. It offers a framework for empowering children to speak about their spiritual concerns and, what is much more difficult, enabling practitioners to hear what they are saying. The outcomes of this communication are theologically transforming.
Heather Walton, Professor of Theology and Creative Practice, University of Glasgow