To Comfort Always

    Diana Elvin

    Bromley's Inter-cultural Care Directory has two features which distinguish it from similar booklets - the title, and a page for patients with no religious allegiance which bears Denis Cobell's number for help and/or advice. There is also a Humanist page but that is not a 'first'.

    The title is from a 15th century proverb, ' To heal sometimes, to comfort always', and hopefully makes the point that that should be our aim and it is easier to avoid distress, especially at a time of illness or crisis if the basic facts about a person's beliefs are readily accessible.

    The directory will go to hospitals, nursing homes, surgeries and other organisations dealing with the public.

    It has been many long years in the making, most of the time being spent in trying to raise funds. In the end they came from a religious charity, but it was either that or no directory.

    Basic information was checked with representatives of the various beliefs and, where possible, a local contact included. There are 25 very different attitudes to life and death described and it is easy to see how complicated it is to offer appropriate care today - and how much distress can be inadvertently caused by a lack of relevant knowledge.

    Since all requests for help with funerals and the naming of very sick babies for instance, would normally be channelled through the chaplaincy team, I think it is very important indeed that they should be aware that a more appropriate alternative is available if required.

    The different ways that names are recorded by other cultures can result in files being wrongly labelled and going astray, so this is explained. Another page has useful community 'phone numbers.

    Response has been enthusiastic (once the money had been obtained elsewhere). It will be distributed to all relevant staff in the NHS and it remains to be seen how much the directory will be used.

    Diana Elvin (September 2001)

    (The Document can be obtained on request to: Bromley Health Care Trust for a payment of £5 +p&p)

 
PATIENTS WHO HAVE NO RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
    The information below is a general guide only.
    Always check everything with the patient/client.
    If in doubt as them or the contact, for advice.

Patients may use the terms 'atheist, 'agnostic' or 'none' when asked to state their religion; or they may be Humanists -please see relevant page.

    The patients integrity should be respected and an opportunity provided for them to describe what they think and how they feel.
    Patients may wish to see an appropriate member of staff in order to consider their illness. Some will have deeply held convictions that there is no place for religion in their lives, and their opinions must be respected. Some may welcome the chance to discuss their experiences/ A positive attitude towards coping with illness has been shown to aid recover. (see introduction)

Diet

    Please enquire concerning dietary requirements.
    Care of the Dying
  1. As with all patients, ensure that the relatives and friends are supported and offered consolation, in accordance with their own beliefs.
  2. Do not offer prayers unless requested.
  3. As with all patients, at the point of death the patient may appreciate the comforting presence of a member of staff if no relative is present.
  4. Consult with the next of kin concerning the funeral arrangements (if it is part of your responsibility); a non religious funeral or memorial event may be preferred.
  5. Remove or cover religious symbols if body is to be viewed.
Post-mortems and organ donation/transplant
  1. Normal legal procedures must be observed, and these should be explained to the next of kin.
  2. The wishes of the patient and next of kin about organ donation should be ascertained, and consent obtained.
Contact
    The adviser, relative or friend designated by the patient should be contacted if necessary. Please refer to the patients notes.
    If advice about a non-religious funeral or memorial event is required, it can be obtained from the undertaker or from Denis Cobell 0208 6907917, or the British Humanist Association.

Oakhill Trust 07/08/01 29.

 
THE HUMANIST PATIENT
    The information below is a general guide only.
    Always check everything with the patient/client.
    If in doubt, ask them or the contact, for advice.

Humanists believe strongly in the individual's right to freedom of choice in the main decisions of life and death, and this will, therefore, have a bearing on discussions about a patient's prognosis.

All people are equal regardless of sex, culture, age, race or sexuality and must endeavour to find solutions for problems within themselves.

They do not believe in any god or life after death.

    Diet
    No special need but a higher proportion are vegetarian/vegan than in the population as a whole.
    Care of the Dying
    1) No praying please
    2) Remove or cover religious signs if the body is to be viewed.
    3) When dealing with a funeral director after the patient has died, he/she should be informed that a non-religious service will be required. There are trained Humanist officiants for funerals (see contacts below).
    Post-mortems and organ donation/transplant
    1) There are no objections on Humanist grounds.
    2) For post-mortems normal legal procedures must be observed, and these should be explained to the next of kin.
    3) For organ donation, the wishes of the patient and next of kin should be ascertained, and consent obtained
    Contact
    Bromley, Kent - Dennis Cobell Tel: 0208 6907917
    UK - British Humanist Association
    For hospital visits, by appointment. Baby naming weddings or funerals may be requested by the patient or next of kin. Weddings in hospital must be referred to the Trust Management,
    Oakhill Trust 07/08/01 20.

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