As part of the process of widening the reach and accessibility of its chaplaincy service, Leeds Teaching Hospitals has appointed a volunteer humanist chaplain – one of the first such appointments in the Yorkshire region.
Humanists are non-religious people who seek to live ethical lives on the basis of shared humanity and believe in equal treatment of everyone.
The role will be undertaken by Dr Bob Bury, a former consultant radiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, who retired in 2010 after 22 years’ service at the Trust. He has a strong commitment to humanism and has since undergone training by the British Humanist Association as a celebrant, a role which led on to his newest venture.
Bob commented: “I am really looking forward to this new role and to complementing the existing service the chaplaincy team provide in helping meet the pastoral care needs of patients in our hospitals.
“In my role as a consultant over many years I already know the hospitals well and also have an understanding of the type of issues that patients may need help and support with. People in hospital often face difficult times personally as a result of their condition or diagnosis.
“It is increasingly true that patients on our wards may not identify with a particular religion. At the same time they value someone who isn’t directly involved in their care to talk things through with at a time when they may need a friendly ear and some extra emotional support.”
One area where it is planned Bob will get involved is a project looking at improvements to the emotional support our hospitals provide to expectant parents who have sadly lost a baby.
Rev. Chris Swift, Head of Chaplaincy at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “Hospital chaplaincy has evolved significantly over the past few decades. Originally it started off catering exclusively for Christian patients, but has since been extended to cover many other faiths in reflection of the changing needs of our population.
“Appointing a humanist chaplain is the next stage of this evolution and it fits in well with NHS England chaplaincy guidance that hospitals have a duty to provide pastoral and spiritual support for all patients who seek it, not just to those with an identified religious affiliation.”
