My 3rd
year as a chaplain gave me lots of new experiences. I also enjoyed getting to
know the staff better and doing some innovative things with them. The thing
that seems to have born much fruition was something I started at the beginning
of the year. I had been talking to the Resus Officer. We both thought it’d be a
good idea if I attended crash calls (where someone's heart has stopped or is about to). My role would be one of a skilled
communicator.
When the team
turn up to a cardiac arrest they all have their roles and their focus is
totally on the patient. My focus was to be something different. I was to look
after any relatives that were present. The intention was not to offer anything
religious, unless asked for, but to answer any medical questions and explain
what the medics were doing and act as a conduit between the medics and the
family. If no family were present then my focus was to be the staff and to
observe and offer a debrief after the arrest.
I had been
attending these emergencies for a year now. Many staff understand what I am
doing and appreciate me being there. Some staff were sceptical and thought I
was just pushing religion. I have gradually broken down most barriers. There
are still some who have a more old school opinion and think it’s not right for
the “grim reaper” to show up until officially called for. They are in the
minority though and this new initiative has been well received. In fact when I
go on holiday people are now noticing my absence.
This year has
shown me that the modern NHS is a place of change. It should certainly be a
transforming place. I know I have been changed by some of the encounters. I
wonder what the next year will bring?
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