§ Lord Patel of Blackburnasked Her Majesty's Government:
What provision is made in the National Health Service for the practice of non-Christian religions, particularly in areas with considerable non-Christian populations; and how they ensure that all providers of health care make such provision. [HL2711]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The National Health Service takes an all-inclusive approach to the religious and spiritual needs of its patients and staff. NHS trusts have standing guidance in the form of Health Service Guidelines (92)2 Meeting the Spiritual Needs of Patients and Staff, encouraging the NHS to introduce local standards to ensure respect for the religious and cultural beliefs of each patient. In support of this, the NHS should make adequate provision for the spiritual needs of patients and staff. As far as reasonably possible, this provision should recognise the welfare needs of both Christians and non-Christians.
It is for hospital management to decide what arrangements should be made for co-ordinating the services of those meeting the spiritual needs of patients and staff. In deciding what facilities are appropriate for each group, hospitals should consider issues such as:
the number of patients in that group;
the nature of spiritual support and services appropriate to that belief; and
local administrative and management arrangements.
Local administrative and religious organisations should be consulted, if necessary, to advise on these issues.