REPORT OF THE MFGHC REVIEW CONFERENCE 2005

1. The Multi-Faith Group for Healthcare Chaplaincy held a Review Conference at St Thomas' Hospital, London on Monday 6th June 2005.
2. The purpose of the Conference was to take stock of progress since the Conference on multi-faith chaplaincy held in 1997 and since the Group itself was formed by representatives of the nine world faiths in November 2002.
3. The Conference was the occasion for publication of the Biennial Review 2003-2004 reporting on the work of the Multi-Faith Group for Healthcare Chaplaincy
4. The Conference was chaired by The Revd Sarah Mullally DBE and by Rabbi Martin van den Bergh, Chair MFGHC Council 2005-06.
5. Input sessions were provided by the Hon Barney Leith, Mr Alan Wittrick and Revd Mark Folland. During the afternoon sessions, delegates discussed proposals for future attention by the MFGHC Council and these were reviewed by a plenary session chaired by Rabbi van den Bergh.
6. The Conference programme is included as annex 1 and a list of those who attended is included as annex 2. The tasks identified by the Group in the afternoon sessions have been incorporated into the work programme for 2005.
7. The Council is grateful to South Yorkshire SHA for sponsorship of the costs of the Conference; to the Guy's/ St Thomas Foundation NHS Trust for hosting the event; and to Revd Mia Hilborn and the Chaplaincy Team at St Thomas' for valued help and support to the planning of the Conference.

The Revd Edward Lewis

Chief Officer

June 2005

Annex 1

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

10.00am Arrival & Coffee (in the Grand Committee Room adjacent to Governors' Hall)

Chair for the morning session: Revd Sarah Mullally DBE

11.00am Welcome and Introduction (Governors' Hall)

Mrs Patricia Moberly on behalf of St Thomas Hospital
Rabbi Martin van den Bergh on behalf of MFGHC

11.15am Looking forward – health and society

From: Mr Alan Wittrick, Chief Executive, South Yorkshire SHA

11.45am Progress with multi-faith chaplaincy since 1997

From: The Hon. Barney Leith, formerly Chair MFGHC Council

12.20pm Looking forward – health and chaplaincy

From: Revd Mark Folland, Lead Chaplain, Caring for the Spirit NHS Project

1.00pm Lunch (in the Grand Committee Room)

Chair for the afternoon session: Rabbi Martin van den Bergh

2.00pm Explanation of activities (Governors' Hall)

2.15pm Faith community discussions

Delegates to review opportunities and challenges for the next five-year period in small groups

Group A in South Wing Committee Room

Groups B and C in Governors' Hall

Group D in Consultants' Dining Room (off Main Hall)

3.00pm Plenary session to feed back comments and to respond to questions (Governors' Hall)

Facilitated by Mr Tim Battle

3.50pm Summing Up

From: the Chair

4.00pm Tea (in the Grand Committee Room) and Departure

LIST OF THOSE ATTENDING

Conference Venue

St Thomas' Hospital is situated on the South Bank of the river Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament. The nearest stations are at Waterloo for main line and underground trains and Westminster for underground trains. There is no car parking available at the Hospital. Governors' Hall is off the Main Hall in South Wing at Block 5. There is a lift available to access the first floor.

Conference Speakers

Mr Mike Farrar has been Chief Executive of the South Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority since 2002. He has worked at senior level in local Health Authority posts and in the Department of Health.

Revd Mark Folland is Lead Chaplain (North West) for the Caring forthe Spirit NHS Project.

The Hon Barney Leith is Secretary for External Affairs, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom and was Chair MFGHC 2003-04.

Mrs Patricia Moberly has been Chairperson, Guy's and St Thomas'NHS Foundation Trust since 1999.

Revd Sarah Mullally DBE is Curate, Battersea Fields and was Chief Nursing Officer in the Department of Health between 1999 and 2004

Rabbi Martin van den Bergh is the Senior Hospital Chaplain,United Synagogue Visitation Committee and Chair, MFGHC 2005-06

Conference Administration

St Thomas' Hospital Chaplaincy Department – 020 7188 1186
MFGHC – Tim Battle – 020 7898 1893

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