Spirituality
Spiritual Care embraces religious and spiritual care for patients, visitors, carers, staff and volunteers regardless of faith or life stance.
Contemporary spirituality is based on a number of assumptions - it is:
Whilst 'religion' is not the same as 'spirituality', it remains a primary vehicle for spiritual expression and for some; culture and spirituality are inextricably linked to the language and practice of religion.
Spirituality is concerned with the dimensions of self, others and the cosmos - and the ontological questions of life: Who am I? Who are we? Why are we here?
It is associated with the process of becoming, with motivation and human achievements, with self-esteem and the ultimate values of love, truth, beauty, and trust, with forgiveness and reconciliation, with beliefs and creativity.
St Andrew’s Hospice is open to all, without distinction of race gender and creed.
‘The Hospice Movement’ recognises the need for ‘Holistic Care’ (the care of the whole person, body, mind & spirit), in that if effective pain and symptom control are to be achieved facilitating quality of life, then access to psychological and spiritual care are paramount. Feelings such as isolation, loneliness, fear, abandonment, distrust, and grief can sometimes be companions to acute illness.
Spiritual care can assist our patients to maintain or re-establish trust, strength and hope and to continue to demonstrate the dignity and uniqueness of their lives.
All staff at St Andrew’s try to give assistance in these matters supported by a full time Pastoral and Spiritual Director.