Health and Social Care

Please note it is essential to check with each patient/client about their individual requirements.

Patients may wish to see a chaplain if they are in hospital for very long or if they are very ill, worried, or about to undergo surgery. Relatives are likely to ask for a chaplain for a dying patient or for prayers with a patient who has died. In hospital, patients are normally willing to meet with a chaplain but often they will prefer contact with their own clergy. Patients may be open to prayers and readings from the Bible at the bedside. They also may avail of the services held in the hospital chapel.

Diet
There are no particular dietary needs. The ethnic background is likely to be important in dietary choice.

Fasting
This varies with individuals, but some will wish to abstain from meat on Fridays (often eating fish instead) and on Ash Wednesday at the start of the season of Lent. Some of the patients/clients see fasting as important to bring themselves closer to God. It is often an individual decision.

Modesty
No particular religious needs, but some patients may be particular about dressing modestly and may find mixed wards difficult.

Family Planning
This is normally acceptable but within limits depending upon individual conscience and belief. Roman Catholics who follow their Church's teaching strictly will only accept limited options, which do not interfere with the possibility of conception.

Birth
There are no particular ceremonies normally, but where a baby is very sick the parents should be asked whether they want their baby baptised. Roman Catholics and Anglicans are particularly likely to request this. The appropriate chaplain should be called but, if time is too short, a nurse can administer emergency baptism.

Blood Transfusions
No religious objections.

Donation of Organs
No religious objections. Chaplains may be called where the family feels it would be helpful.

Abortion
This will vary, but there are general objections to abortion except where essential for the mother's health. There is a greater acceptance of termination for foetal abnormality. Abortion is not acceptable in Roman Catholic Church teaching.

Care of the Dying
This varies with individuals, but many will ask to see their own minister or a chaplain. Often the request will come from the family towards the end, but it is also appropriate for staff to offer to call a chaplain. This is normally appreciated even if the family does not wish to take up the offer. This offer can also be appropriately offered when a diagnosis of a terminal condition is communicated or it is suggested that treatment be withdrawn.
Where a chaplain has been particularly caring for a patient, staff should contact that chaplain when the patient deteriorates and is expected to die. Roman Catholic patients and their families would particularly expect to see a priest before the patient dies. Staff would normally contact the Roman Catholic chaplain unless the patient has specifically asked not to see him.

Last Offices
As per Trust procedures.

Post Mortems
No religious objections.

Funeral
Both burial and cremation are acceptable generally.

A Quaker may like to be visited be another Quaker.

Diet
No special considerations. Some Quakers are vegetarian and a few are vegan.

Care of the Dying
There are no special rituals or practices for the dying. Patients will appreciate a visit from an Elderly and other Quakers who may sit in worship.

Funeral
The wishes of the deceased are respected.
A Quaker funeral is like a meeting for worship and is based on silent reflection or prayer with no visible leader. Anyone is free to speak if they feel it appropriate or helpful. It is likely that several people may put into words the experience of the moment; the mystery of life and death, the human longing for consolation and the qualities of the one who has died.

Special Considerations
If in hospital voluntarily, the Christian Scientist is likely to accept conventional but minimal medical treatment. However, he/she may ask for drug therapy to be kept to a minimum. Christian Scientists not in hospital voluntarily, e.g. after accidents, would normally wish to be completely free of medical treatment. They will normally wish to contact a Christian Science practitioner to ask for treatment through prayer and will appreciate privacy for any such treatments. He/she would probably request that, as soon as possible, a transfer will be effected to a Christian Church Nursing Home, where treatment can be given in accordance with religious convictions.
Access to the Bible and Christian Science published works would be appreciated. Privacy would also be greatly appreciated.

Diet
No special considerations. Alcohol and smoking prohibited.

Fasting
No set pattern.

Modesty
Individual views

Family Planning and Abortion
Individual views.

Birth
No special needs.

Blood Transfusions
Christian Scientists have no specific objections to blood transfusions as such but, as it is a material method of treatment and their desire is to rely on spiritual means alone for healing, they would not wish to participate either as a donor or recipient. 
Parents comply with the requirements of the law in the UK that a doctor should be called to attend a child at a time of illness. If, in accordance with this requirement, the child of Christian Scientist parents were under medical care, the parents would not normally object to a blood transfusion, if the doctors considered it was essential.

Donation of Organs
Christian Scientists would wish to maintain the body inviolate and would not normally wish to donate or receive any organ as this represents a material method of treatment.
Cremation is usually chosen in preference to burial, but it is entirely a matter of family choice.

Care of the Dying
Worship is kept free from ritual and there are no last rites. Female staff should handle females after death (so far as possible)

Post Mortems
Christian Scientists wish to be free from post mortems, unless required by law.

Special Considerations
Some Mormons who have been through a special Temple ceremony wear a sacred undergarment, which may be a one piece or two piece garment and may be made of different fabrics. It is only removed for hygiene and laundering, but may be removed for surgical operations. It must at all times be considered private and treated with respect.

Diet
Mormons try to take care of their body and eat a healthy diet, take proper rest, and exercise. They eat meat sparingly and avoid eating blood products (i.e. Black Pudding). They may request visits from members of their church called 'Teachers' who may pray, anoint and give sacraments. They do not use stimulants or drugs, so milk, water and fruit juices are alternatives to tea or coffee.

Care of the Dying
There are no rituals for dying, but spiritual contact is important and active members of the church will know how to contact their Bishop. The church has home teachers who are charged to offer support to the needy and make visits to hospital. The family should be consulted about needs.

Last Offices
Routine last offices are appropriate. The sacred garment previously mentioned must be replaced on the body, following last offices.

Post Mortems, Blood Transfusions and Donation of Organs
There are no religious objections

Funerals
Burial is preferred. Cremation is not encouraged because of the important symbolic references to burial in the doctrine of the church, but this is the responsibility of the family to decide.  Services are held at the Church meeting houses and will follow the pattern of the Sunday Service which is simple and dignified and a brief sermon will take place centred on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Special Considerations
No particular requirements, but a patient may require their own minister rather than a Christian Chaplain.

Special Considerations
Saturday is observed as the Sabbath for rest and worship and is considered to be a day of communion with God and one another. The Sabbath is from Friday sunset until Saturday sunset.

Diet
As a result of the Church's long-standing health programme, many Adventists adhere to a vegetarian diet but that practice is not incumbent on their members. The Church does, however, accept and practice the Levitical Food Code of eating only certain 'clean' or Biblically permitted meats, where members prefer a meat diet.

Care of the Dying Patient
No special rituals, but visits from local pastor if required.

Funerals
Burial is preferred but there is no religious objection to cremation.