Unit E1: Provide an ethical, theolgical and pastoral resource

Identify and explore ethical, theological and pastoral issues within the local health setting

Performance Criteria

• Informal discussion and comment on ethical theological and pastoral issues are encouraged and accepted in an open and sensitive way
• Formal policy meetings and debates on issues of health care policy, ethics and research are organised or attended as appropriate
• The values implicit in the activities of the health care organisation are subjected to on-going critical observation and approval
• Opportunities to participate in appropriate case conferences or team meetings are sought and taken up
• Relevant literature from inside and outside the health care setting is reviewed and relevant information is available as a resource
• Views of the wider community on ethical and policy issues of health care are noted
• Information gathered is critically reviewed in the context of wider theological and ethical debate

Literature:
Professional journals, popular publications, religious and ethical literature, theological and exegetical literature, documents on organisational/ managerial policy/ practice

Issues:
Ethical, theological, pastoral; related to the organisational policy, practice, and structure and to individual circumstance

• Ethics and moral philosophy of Faith communities in the organisation
• Communication networks (local and national)
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Literature searching
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Pastoral theology Health care ethics (biomedical & clinical)
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Principles and mechanisms of multi-disciplinary team working
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to the local health care setting
  

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Contribute to formal and organisational discussion about ethical, theological and pastoral issues

Performance Criteria:

• Ethical theological and pastoral implications of management decisions for all groups and individuals are brought to the attention of the organisation
• Meetings with staff and management to explore and discuss professional issues are initiated as appropriate
• Formal discussion of ethical theological and pastoral issues, through formal advisory machinery or meetings in support of the chaplaincy function, is encouraged and supported
• Contributions to policy and decision making groups are made where possible
• Positive and sensitive contributions to ethical theological and pastoral debate from the wider community are encouraged
  

Issues:
Ethical, theological, pastoral; related to the organisational policy, practice, and structure and to individual circumstance.

Policy making groups:
Wider community: local/ national, Individuals/ Groups, secular/ religious

• Ethics and moral philosophy of Faith communities represented in the organisation
• Clinical and research ethics committees
• Clinical Governance policy and processes
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Pastoral theology Health care ethics (biomedical & clinical)
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to ethical, theological and pastoral issues
  

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Support individuals and groups in facing ethical and theological implications of their situation

Performance Criteria:

• Individuals are accepted in a non-judgemental and supportive manner
• Where appropriate, additional expertise, information or resources are made available to the individual or group
• Confidentiality is maintained
• Appropriate information on theological issues and issues of ethical theory and practice is available
• Mediation and conciliation is offered in cases of ethical or theological disagreement or dispute
• Ethical and theological debate is conducted wherever possible in the context of a supportive pastoral relationship
• Individuals and groups are encouraged, and wherever possible empowered, to take appropriate responsibility for their own actions and decisions
• Decision makers, and others affected by and involved with the decision(s) are identified
• The beliefs and understanding of the job-holder are offered sensitively and where appropriate
  

Individuals:
patients, staff, relatives, carers

Information:
ethical theory, practice, Statute law

• Ethics and moral philosophy of Faith communities represented in the organisation
• Confidentiality policy and protocols
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Health care ethics (biomedical & clinical)
• Inter-personal dynamics
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Pastoral theology
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Principles of personal autonomy
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Self-awareness
• Situational analysis
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to ethical and theological implications of situations

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Provide and ethical and theological resource on health care issues for the wider community

Performance Criteria:

• Opportunities are identified to initiate or participate in ethical and theological debate on health care issues in the wider community
• Members of the wider community are given the opportunity to develop informed opinions on ethical and theological issues of health care
• Reasonable opportunities are given to allow expression and exploration of all views and perspectives
• The beliefs and experience of the job-holder and her/his tradition are shared sensitively and within the bounds of confidentiality
• Distinctions between views expressed as an individual, and as a representative of the health care organisation, and as a representative of a religious tradition, are made clear
• Public statements on policy issues made in the job-holder's formal capacity are discussed with management of the organisation as appropriate
  

Wider community:
local/ national; religious, secular

Debate:
meetings, articles, informal conversation

Health care issues:
policy, implementation, resource allocation

• Ethics and moral philosophy of Faith communities represented in the organisation
• Communication policy, systems and techniques
• Confidentiality policy and protocols
• Current affairs (national and local) and their impact locally
• Group dynamics
• Health care ethics (biomedical & clinical)
• Local healthcare strategies and plans
• Local organisational structures, routines and networks
• Local patterns of spiritual care and organisations
• Pastoral theology
• Policy and guidance of relevant Government Department/ Agency
• Policy and guidance of relevant Professional Bodies/ Organisations
• Professional and contractual responsibilities & obligations
• Theological and Philosophical approaches to health care issues for the wider community
  

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