In this episode we discuss the circumstances in which chaplains may be called and what expectations and assumptions may lie behind those requests. Often there is an association of the chaplain with end of life; we are called to offer staff advice and patients comfort. But this association can also create anxiety if a patient thinks the chaplain is visiting them because they are going to die. With staff on wards key gatekeepers in referring patients to chaplaincy /spiritual care services, we muse over how their own worldviews and perceptions may influence their use of the service. We explore in what other circumstances chaplains play their part such as MDTs, safeguarding and even security and start to consider some differences for chaplains between acute care, hospice care and mental health services.
