News Story

Further investment and development are needed to ensure healthcare chaplaincy services remain accessible to patients in Northern Ireland, a new study has suggested.

The report from Queen’s University Belfast highlighted the “significant contribution” that chaplaincy makes to patients and staff in the health settings.

However, it also said that challenges remain around staffing and access to the service.

The research also challenges perceptions of chaplaincy as being primarily concerned with formal religious rites.

Instead, the study found that much of chaplaincy work centres on listening, presence, spiritual conversation and emotional support.

The research study, Perceptions And Experiences Of healthcare Chaplaincy In Northern Ireland: An In-depth Exploration, was led by Dr Patricia Carlisle, alongside colleagues Professor Lorna Montgomery and Dr Barry Quinn

It is the first piece of research commissioned by the Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplains’ Association (NIHCA).

The research team gathered the perspectives of 39 healthcare chaplains from across the various healthcare trusts in Northern Ireland and captured the experiences of 100 service users, including patients, family members, friends and healthcare; staff.

Dr Carlisle said: “This study highlights the important and perhaps under acknowledged work of healthcare chaplaincy for patients, family and friends and staff.

“Drawing upon multiple perspectives, the study invites a broader conversation about the role and value of spiritual and religious care within healthcare in Northern Ireland.

“By highlighting current experiences and perspectives, it encourages reflection on how spiritual care, across diverse faith and belief backgrounds, can be understood, supported, and integrated across health services.”

The study identified “significant pressures” on services.

Researchers said that the healthcare chaplaincy workforce is predominantly part-time and, with pressures on the service, relies substantially on volunteer support.

Participants reported workload pressures, staffing limitations and increasing demand.

Researchers said that limited coverage, particularly out-of-hours and in specialist settings, can also affect access to support.

The report also highlighted difficulties in accessing the service.

It said some service users were unaware that chaplaincy was available, while delays in referral and inconsistent ward presence pointed to gaps in the routine integration of chaplaincy.

Father Darach Mac Giolla Catháin, president of the Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplains’ Association (NIHCA) said: “I welcome this significant research which highlights the invaluable work carried out by our healthcare chaplains across Northern Ireland.

“Its findings will contribute to the continuing work of chaplaincy and inform its future development.

“Chaplaincy is an essential constituent element of the multi-disciplinary teams offering confidential pastoral, religious and spiritual care to all who request it, fulfilling the respective spiritual care policies of each trust.”

The full report is available at https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/perceptions-and-experiences-of-healthcare-chaplaincy-in-northern-/