Ongoing support announced for hospital chaplaincy services

Associate Minister of Health Jo Goodhew today confirmed that the 40 year partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Trust would continue for a further three years from July 2013.

Speaking at an annual gathering of the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa New Zealand Trust Board, Mrs Goodhew acknowledged the work of the Trust and the value of hospital chaplaincy to patients and their families at what is often a very emotional time in their lives.

There are currently 88 hospital chaplains available in 48 public hospitals across New Zealand providing ministry to around 360,000 patients every year. The spiritual support provided is an important contribution to the holistic model of care New Zealand's health services are seeking to provide.

“Chaplaincy services are recognised as contributing to a multi-disciplinary approach in supporting the health and well-being of patients, their families, as well as staff” Mrs Goodhew said.
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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>