People living with pain, illness or approaching the end of their lives
Fr Patrick Bridgman
In Wellington Regional Hospital there is a mantra from patients that is often heard by Sr Sia and me: ‘Do you know that even the food is great here?’
Peoples’ expectations of hospital food, and their treatment in general, can be low.
Then they experience the high-level care that is here, and those expectations change. Patient care is a matter of ‘treating’ the whole person. All who are involved, including family, nursing staff, health-care assistants, chaplains, doctors, cleaners, food technicians, physios, consultants, social workers, whanau care, have responsibilities.
The sense of dignity a person will feel can contribute as much to the healing of the whole person as will the medicines and procedures applied.
To hear a patient speak of how they have been cared for and respected by all the medical staff, and how the person looks forward to the visits of the food-technician, Justin, is a witness of a person’s spirits and dignity being raised despite their having arrived in a very depressed state, with a poor prognosis.
There will always be the patient who finds the news of approaching death a burden too hard to bear, but bearing this burden alone need never be part of their journey.
As chaplains we are always impressed by the work of the palliative team who, working with the medical staff, chaplaincy, and families, provide a great level of experience to assist patients and their families.
A culture of healthcare focused on the whole person, including the end-of-life journey, ensures the dignity of people living with pain, illness, and approaching the end of life.
National Hospital Chaplaincy Week runs from 21–28 September, 2014.
Fr Patrick Bridgman is the Wellington Hospital Chaplain.