News/Home - Christian Nurses and Midwives

NCFI International Conference

2012-02-09T05:50:00.000-08:00

The Quadrennial International Conference of Nurses Christian Fellowship International

will be held in Santiago, Chile, from Monday 5th to Saturday 10th November 2012.

The Conference theme is "PARTNERS IN CARE Unity in diversity through Christ". The keynote speaker opening the conference, will be Patricia Benner, Professor Emerita at the University of California, San Francisco. She will be joined by other speakers, who include Pastor Raquel Contreras, Dr Kamalini Kumar, Professor Emeritus Nelly Garzon, Professor Barbara Parfitt and Dr Susie Kim. This conference will take place in both English and Spanish languages.

INTERESTED? Act now to reserve your place at the conference!

Conference Brochure
Conference Registration
Conference Information - Spanish Version
To see more about the venue please visit www.casaloyola.cl

THINKING ABOUT SUBMITTING AN ABSTRACT for the Conference?

The Abstract Submission form can be found on this link and should be read in conjunction with the NCFI Doctrinal Basis, which can be found on our About Us page.

Annual General Meeting of Christian Nurses & Midwives

2012-02-02T02:59:00.000-08:00

On March 10 2012, at Beeston Evangelical Church, Nottingham, Christian Nurses & Midwives will be holding their Annual General Meeting, at which reports, accounts and activities for the last year will be presented.

The AGM will be held as part of the day conference ‘Heart of the Matter: keeping a pure heart in professional practice’ but all CNM members are entitled to attend whether or not they are booked at the conference.

If you are planning to come separately to the day conference, please let us know for paper, catering and room organisation purposes - email info@cnm.org.uk

Science, Faith and the Health of our Society

2012-01-26T07:56:00.000-08:00

PRIME 10th Anniversary Symposium
Saturday 31st March 2012
10am to 4pm
Royal Institution of Great Britain
21 Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4BS

Medical science has brought dramatic improvements in our understanding of illness and the provision of powerful treatments. Yet both anecdote and formal research point to the need to look beyond our current scientific model to meet the deepest needs of individuals, and society, in promoting and restoring health.

The PRIME 10th Anniversary Symposium, held in an outstanding centre of scientific discourse, will explore current thinking about the intensely practical interaction between science, faith and society that shapes the health care we give and receive.

Why are Science and Faith viewed as opposing forces?
How does this affect concepts and practice in healthcare?
How do values in healthcare affect our society?
How do the ethics of society affect healthcare?
Can medical science be morally neutral?
How can we bring back harmony between Science and Faith into healthcare
practice and research?

Join us for a lively series of interactive presentations that will examine these fundamental questions and stimulate change for the better in our healthcare practice and education.

Our Speakers will include:
Baroness Caroline Cox, Deputy Speaker House of Lords & Patron of PRIME
Prof Keith Fox, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Southampton, & Chairman of
Christians in Science
Dr Peter Saunders, Chief Executive, Christian Medical Fellowship
Prof Stephen Evans, Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology, London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine
Dr John Geater MBE, International Director of PRIME
Prof Richard Vincent, Emeritus Professor of Cardiology, Brighton and Sussex Medical
School & PRIME Executive Chair, and other senior PRIME Tutors

Costs:
£60 for those in full-time medical practice
£40 for nurses, students and others
Lunch and refreshments included

Book your place now

E-Newsletter, Edition 1 New Year 2012

2011-12-16T04:27:00.000-08:00

We are delighted to present the first edition of CNM's new E-Newsletter, available to download here

This will be coming out every two to three months (next edition in February 2012). It will be sent by email to all CNM members, or by post on request.

Heart of the Matter: keeping a pure heart in professional practice

2011-12-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

A conference for Christians working as allied health professionals, nurses and midwives, 10 March 2012, Beeston Evangelical Church, Nottingham

Working in healthcare is a rewarding, stressful, challenging, frustrating experience. Our careers shape the focus and direction of our lives. But as Christians we are also called to put God at the centre of everything. So how do we continue to have Jesus at the centre of lives when pressures of work and career take so much of our time and energy.

Giles Cattermole (a consultant in emergency medicine in London, and the Head of Student Ministries for the Christian Medical Fellowship) will be helping us to explore what the Bible says. We will also be taking time to discuss, pray and reflect together.

Programme

10:00 - 10:30 Coffee & Registration

10:30 - 11:00 Welcome, prayer & praise

11:00 - 11:45 Bible Talk 1

11:45 - 12:00 Coffee

12:00 - 12:30 Bible Talk 2

12:30 - 13:00 Small Group Discussions

13:00 - 13:45 Lunch

13:45 - 15:00 AGMs

15:00 - 15:30 Regional Groups/prayer

15:30 - 15:45 Tea

15:45 - 16:30 Final talk/Seminars

16:30 - 17:00 Close

Food, tea and coffee are provided, and there will be a bookstall available, plus free resources.

There will be opportunity to meet and network with other Christian health professionals.

Price
Early Bird Discount (before 13 February)
Qualified: £20
Student/Retired: £10

Full Price (13 Feb onwards)
Qualified: £30
Student/Retired: £15

For more information and to download the booking form click here

London Carol Services for Health Workers

2011-11-18T00:52:00.000-08:00

CNM and the Christian Medical Fellowship warmly invite you and your colleagues to a carol service for health professionals at All Souls Church, Langham Place at 18:30 on Tuesday 20 December 2011

The service will be led by Rev Hugh Palmer, Rector, All Souls Church and the speaker will be Prof John Wyatt, Emeritus Professor, Neonatal Paediatrics at University College, London.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be served after the service.

All are welcome.

You can download a poster for your notice board here.

Further invites for colleagues and friends available on request from info@cnm.org.uk

To Live or not live - that is the question

2011-09-23T03:56:00.000-07:00

Christian Student Nurses and Midwives invite you to an evening to discuss the dilemmas and challenges that the Euthanasia debate has highlighted for nurses, to listen to God’s response and look at how Christian nurses can make a difference!
Date: Thursday 27 October 2011Time: 7.15pm – 8pm food. Meeting from 8pm – 9.30pm.Cost: £3.00 (food only)
Venue: Christian Medical Fellowship, Johnson House,6 Marshalsea Road, London SE1 1HL

RSVP: Annie Leggett at CMF by Tuesday 25 October
E: Annie.Leggett@cmf.org.uk

Nurses Christian Fellowship International EuroNews

2011-09-02T06:18:00.000-07:00

The summer 2011 of the NCFI European Newsletter, EuroNews, is now available online - this edition includes news from Spain, Armenia, England and Wales, plus articles from Finland and Norway on the meaning of Joy and a review of a new book on the practice of spiritual care for nurses.

Also, the advance programme for the NCFI International Conference in Chile, November 2012 is now available to download - more details to follow over the coming weeks and months

5th International Student Nurses Conference

2011-08-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

A unique opportunity to meet international colleagues and friends and learn and discuss about your professional role regarding spirituality and spiritual care.

Spiritual Care and Health Professions: Context and Practice

November 3 and 4, 2011
Moses & Aaron Church, Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Spiritual care forms an integral part of holistic health care delivered by nurses, midwives, social workers etc.

Although healthcare workers are expected to care for the spiritual dimension of the patient, many questions persist about what exactly is their professional role.

This conference will help students and other healthcare workers to find answers regarding their
professional role in spiritual care. The objectives of the conference are to explore:
• The opportunities of spiritual care in clinical practice
• The social context of spiritual care
• The role of spirituality in illness and care
• The role of the professional in spiritual care
• Personal aspects of spiritual care
ParticipantsInternational health care students (nursing, midwifery, medical, social work e.g.) are
especially invited for this conference. We also welcome health care practitioners and
scholars.

For more details and a booking form, click here

Rediscovering your calling

2011-04-07T04:52:00.000-07:00

A residential spiritual retreat for Christian nurses, midwives and health visitors
21-23 September 2011
Emmaus House, Bristol

We apologise, but this event has now been cancelled

watch this space for other news and events coming soon

2011 London Regional Conference

2011-01-11T06:09:00.000-08:00

Resetting our compass: seeking God's direction in a confused ethical landscape

When: 2 April

Where: Johnson House, 6 Marshalsea Road, London SE1 1HL

Time: 10:00 - 16:15

Hosted by: Christian Medical Fellowship

The London and Southeast Regional Joint Conference for CNM and Allied Health Professions Christian Network (formerly CTN).

The ethical landscape in the NHS is changing fast, as new technologies and new social attitudes make it increasingly complex to know what is in the best interests of our patients and in keeping with God's values. From end of life to start of life, resource allocation and ethics in the staff room - how do we reflect God's life and values in our professional ethics?

This day conference aims to help Christians in the health professions re-orientate themselves ethically; to grapple with the current issues and with a Biblical basis for healthcare ethics across the spectrum.

With an emphasis on the allied health professions, nurses and midwives, this event is open to Christians in all the health professions, and is run in partnership between Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) Allied Health Professions Christian Network (AHPCN) and Christian Nurses & Midwives (CNM).

Programme:

10:00 - Coffee & registration

10:30 - Start - worship & intro

10:45 - First Seminar

12:00 - discussions

12:30 - lunch

13:15 – AGMs for AHPCN and CNM

14:15 - Regional/workplace Networking Time & praying for one another

15:00 - Second Seminar

16:00 - prayer & worship

16:15 -Finish

Click here to book online

Mental Health in the Developing World

2010-12-15T09:38:00.000-08:00

A PRIME conference for tutors and others with an involvement in mental health

8 January 2011, Johnson House, 6 Marshalsea Road, London SE1 1HL

Mental illnesses from depression to acute psychosis to PTSD are a major problem for those living in poorer parts of the world but often poorly understood, deeply stigmatised, poorly treated and often low on priority lists of governments.

Where can I fit in?

This day conference will include workshops where participants can share their experiences and network with others interspersed with keynote addresses from PRIME tutors and others working overseas either full time or with short-term teaching visits.

Chaired by Andrew Simms (past President of RCPsych)
Contributions so far confirmed are:

The new strategy of WHO, and mental health in West Africa - Julian Eaton
NHS-links as a means of building capacity - Ros Furlong
Reducing stigma in Nepal - David Sims
Involving church leaders in mental health - John Geater
Conflict and Migration - Maureen Wilkinson

Cost £15 to include lunch and refreshments, payable on the day

Book online at www.prime-international.org.uk

New Nursing Student Staff Worker Appointed

2010-09-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

As many of you will be aware, CNM and Christian Medical Fellowship have been working together to recruit and employ a full time student staff worker for Christian nursing students. Initially working in the southeast of England in and around London, this role will ultimately extend to a national ministry.

We are delighted to announce that Annie Leggett has been appointed to take up this post. Some of you will know Annie, who was UCCF’s Staff Worker for student nurses back in the nineties. She will be taking up her new role from October. We asked Annie to introduce herself:

CNM: Annie, can you tell us about your background professional background?

Annie Leggett: I trained as a nurse in the late 1970’s at the Middlesex Hospital London. I then worked in three London hospitals as a staff nurse before attending the Oncology Course at the Royal Marsden Hospital. I then staffed on a palliative care ward before moving to the Westminster Hospital where I pioneered a day chemotherapy unit as a nurse manager/sister before returning to the Royal Marsden to run their Intravenous Services as the clinical Nurse specialist/Senior Nurse.

CNM: Tell us a bit about what you have been doing for the last few years:

AL: For the last 10 years I have been working as the female Pastoral worker for City Evangelical Church in Birmingham. I joined the church after one year in its existence, and so again this has been a pioneering situation. My role has been to encourage and teach the women in the church, through bible studies, one2ones, and in larger groups, as well as heading up Christianity Explored and along the way offering lots of food! One of the biggest privileges has been to see the power of the gospel working in lives, as people are drawn into believing the gospel, or seeing others grow in their faith. It has also been a challenge but also a privilege to see how God has sustained and grown people through tough and sometimes ongoing situations.

CNM: Can you say a bit about what you will be doing with CMF?

AL: The main aim will be to seek to start a work amongst student nurses along the lines of the student work for medics. Initially, this will be making contact with student nurses and possibly other health care students, with the aim to teach the bible and encourage them to think through ethical issues, to help them be a light in their profession both individually and corporately and to be a friend. We hope to organise and run half and full day conference, and weekends. I am also very keen to establish good links with churches, UCCF and existing volunteers who have been supporting nurses during the last few years. We are all praying that God will provide others to help in the work and that from the student work a stronger vibrant work amongst qualified nurses might grow.

CNM: Annie, is there anything that we can pray about in connection with you taking up your new role?

AL: That I will increasingly know Jesus better and delight in him. That he will give CNM, CMF and myself His wisdom as we set out on this work, and that He will open doors. Please pray for nurses to be built up in Christ and for many others to hear the gospel. That I will quickly pick up the pressures that students are facing in the present day. For my departure from Birmingham and for settling back into London, and for wisdom to know which church I should join.

CNM: Thank you Annie, and we look forward to working with you over the coming years.

You will be able to contact Annie on students@cnm.org.uk and annie@cmf.org.uk from 4 October 2010.

God Loves the NHS

2010-08-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday 27th November 2010

St Thomas' Church Philadelphia, Sheffield

A day conference to inspire, uplift and resource Christians who work within the NHS

The NHS was founded in 1948, is the third largest employer in the world and also the world’s largest publicly funded health service. The pressure, choices and challenges that are faced by those who work at all levels within the NHS can be intense, as they seek to fulfil its compelling ethos "that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth".

Beth Hutton has developed 'God loves NHS' conferences, one day events to be held around the country. The first conference was held at New Life Church in Lincoln in November 2009 and was attended by approximately 100 people from all over the UK. The Keynote speaker was Professor Chris Summerton, a Consultant in Gastroenterology and General Medicine at Trafford General Hospital, Manchester, who will be giving a seminar at this year's conference in Sheffield. In addition, Paul Blundell spoke on overcoming challenges within mental health, Pastor David Carr from Renewal Christian Centre in Solihull on how the church can work alongside and with the NHS and also Pastor Stuart Bell from New Life spoke on ‘Healthwise’ – health from a biblical perspective. Worship was led by Geraldine Latty and the New Life worship team. In addition, the following organisations supported and were part of the event; Transform Work UK, Christian Medical Fellowship, Parish Nursing and Theos, a public theology think tank.

Chris and Helen Cotton, Chris Atkins and Jude Stone from St Thomas' Church, Philadelphia attended the event in Lincoln. Testifying to the success of the Lincoln conference in validating and empowering those within the NHS, these four individuals returned from the event determined to bring the God loves NHS conference to Sheffield.

For more information and to book a place, please visit http://www.stthomaschurch.org.uk/workplace/godlovesnhs

Caring Across Boundaries

2010-07-15T03:24:00.001-07:00

The eighth European Regional Conference of NCFI was held 31 May – 5 June at the Rehoboth Centre, Valea Draganului, Cluj County, Romania. The conference centre is beautifully situated in the Western Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania, the north-western most province of Romania, towards the Hungarian border.

The conference was the culmination of at least twelve years of networking and building contacts, and prayer. Rodica Morar (a retired paediatric nurse, and founder of the Fundatia Creştinâ de Ajutorare, Cluj, [the Christian Aid Foundation of Cluj]) and Claudia Persa (a rehabilitation nurse in Cluj and volunteer at the Foundation) have attended several European and International Conferences of NCFI, with the support and encouragement of NCFI Trustee and former International Board member, Pat Ashworth. Their vision has been to see the establishment of a Christian nursing fellowship in Romania, and they have worked long and hard at building both national and international contacts.

Over eighty people attended for some or all of the conference, including 43 international nursing delegates and 36 Romanian nurses (including, for the final day, the Dean of the Baptist Nursing School in Cluj) – this was in large part due to a generous donation to the European Regional Scholarship Fund by the Finnish NCF, SSKS.

The Bible addresses were given from the book of Daniel by Pastor Beniamin Faragau, an internationally known Bible teacher and pastor of the Iris Baptist Church in Cluj – his personal experiences of ill health in the last two years gave a powerful insight into the challenge of caring in the name of Jesus, and his expositions explored the themes of living with change, difference, uncertainty and opportunity. The plenary sessions were led by Uta Bornschein (Germany), Sue Allen (England) with Dana Chantree (Romania) and Ioana Tomoletu (Romania & Spain), Barbara Parfitt (Scotland) and Kamalini Kumar (USA) on respectively on the themes of nursing in times of change, nursing with uncertainty, nursing with difference and embracing new opportunities in nursing.

There were several national and international papers and seminars presented on themes as managing burnout, praying with patients, teaching a whole person and biblically based model of care and Parish Nursing, etc, etc. The feedback on all the plenary and concurrent sessions was very positive, and the standard of presentations was uniformly high.

However, as with all conferences it is the meetings outside the official programme that often bear the most fruit. One major development was that through several meetings, the Romania nurses (who came from seven different cities or provinces across the country) agreed to establish a national Christian nursing fellowship, appointed a leader and established a preliminary programme for meetings and email networking. KFSS also provided some initial funding to help establish the group, and there will be ample opportunities for the European Committee to meet with the new leadership and support their work in the coming year.

Secondly, a very positive link was built between NCFI and PRIME through the training programme in Armenia undertaken by Barbara Parfitt and two Scottish nurses in May, and by the presence of PRIME director Dr John Geater at the conference. We were able to explore possible future projects and programmes of joint training between PRIME and NCFI, and will be following this up with a conference in Glasgow, Scotland in mid-June.

Finally, we were also able to sponsor a couple of nurses from Albania and two from Armenia, as well as three from Moldova, strengthening and establishing new links with all three nations. We have a good link into the Moldovan Association of Christian Nurses through Anna Suvac, and a new link into the nursing division of the Armenian Christian Medical Association through the joint NCFI/PRIME training programme piloted by NCF Scotland in May. We also hope, through ICMDA and PRIME links in Albania to support the development of an Albanian Christian nursing network.

Overall the conference achieved its underlying aim of strengthening, establishing and renewing links with Christian nursing groups in Eastern Europe – and the challenge before the new European Committee is to see these links and contacts taken forward.

Whole Person Care - an Integrated Approach

2010-04-21T00:44:00.000-07:00

17-19 June 2010
A three day conference, jointly organised by PRIME and NCFI, for all tutors and interested friends and colleagues in Kirkintilloch near Glasgow, Scotland.

For nurses, doctors and other health professionals interested in exploring and teaching an integrated, whole person model of care. This conference will provide an introduction to PRIME's vision, ethos and teaching methods, and will start to develop a Christian model of integrated medical/nursing whole person care. The conference will explore:

Strategies for effective partnerships between doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in different situations
Different methods and materials available to help healthcare professionals be inspired and equipped to teach compassionate and whole person care
The opportunities at home and in other cultures that exist to improve healthcare through value-based education using an integrated whole person approach

Cost:
£100 day delegate only, includes lunch and dinner - accomodation available with members of Kirkintilloch Baptist Church for a small donation

To book or for more details visit the PRIME International website

International Saline Study Days

2010-04-01T01:04:00.000-07:00

The International Saline course has been developed to help nurses, doctors and other health professionals integrate faith and clinical practice, and to equip them to address the spiritual needs of patients, looking at the evidence base for the role of spirituality in healthcare, the basic skills of spiritual history taking and at other essential skills, this one day workshop is for all Christian nurses interested in spirituality and spiritual care.

Two International Saline courses for nurses are being run this spring - 17 April in Liverpool and 22 May in London. These are run in conjunction with the Christian Medical Fellowship. We are also involved with running an International Saline training day near Cardiff on 8 May in conjunction with Healthcare Christian Fellowship.

For more details, follow the links, email the CNM Office or ring 07941 800637

Nurses' Student Staff Worker - London

2010-02-01T03:08:00.000-08:00

This is an exciting opportunity for a Christian nurse or midwife with a passion to develop a new ministry amongst student nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, starting in London and South-east England.

Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) and Christian Nurses & Midwives (CNM) are collaborating to start a new ministry working with students in the London area. This will be a pioneering work with nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students, alongside CMF’s medical student team, building fellowship and prayer/Bible study groups, developing new leaders, organising evangelism, spiritual care and apologetics training and conferences, communications and literature, etc, etc.

You will be a qualified nurse or midwife with experience in Christian leadership and ministry within a student and/or local church context, with a vision to see Christians in the caring professions thinking about and practising their profession in the light of their faith and being salt and light in the health service. You will also need to have a commitment to pioneering new areas of ministry, and to the long term development of that ministry. You will be willing and able to travel, a good communicator and in sympathy with the vision and aims of CMF and CNM.

The full time post will be based out of the CMF offices in Central London.

Salary will be £20,000 - £23,500 (depending on qualifications and experience) plus pension and expenses.

For job description and application form contact Gwen Gowers, CMF, 6 Marshalsea Road, London SE1 1HL
Tel: 020 7234 9663
Email: recruitment@cmf.org.uk

or download an application form and background documents (Nurses Student Staff Worker Job Profile, Job Description & Person Specification and Background Information).

To talk more about this post, ring Steve Fouch (CMF Head of Allied Professions Ministries) on 020 7234 9668 or email info@cnm.org.uk

CNM Submission to Welsh Assembly Consultation on Spiritual Care

2010-01-29T04:54:00.000-08:00

This paper was submitted to the Welsh Assembly on January 20 2010 in response to a consultation on standards for spiritual care provision by the NHS in Wales and on the competencies and capabilities for those providing spiritual care.

Copies of the consultation documents are available on request from the Welsh Assembly, or by clicking the links above (including the supporting guidance from the Welsh Assembly).

This consultation closed on 22 January 2010

Introduction:
Christian Nurses & Midwives is a membership body & registered charity in England & Wales (No: 1119533) for Christian health professionals in those nations, with five aims:

1. To encourage Christian nurses and midwives to grow in the knowledge of Christ and to make Him known
2. To promote Christian principles within nursing and midwifery
3. To develop a network of Christian nurses and midwives for fellowship and prayer
4. To strengthen and support Christian student nurses and midwives
5. To support the work of nursing and midwifery missionaries throughout the world who are in agreement with our beliefs

We were approached by several of our members in Wales to make a submission on this consultation, who have also provided information and views that inform this submission. Our Welsh membership in particular includes several senior nurses, nurse academics and spiritual care specialists.

Response to Guidance & Capabilities Document
We feel that it is positive that there is an early clarification between Spiritual and Religious care, and that this can help unpack some of the more heated and ill informed recent controversy over the role of chaplaincy services within the NHS, and the nature and relevance of spiritual care.
We note the reference to the WHO’s recent statements on the spiritual dimension of health, and welcome a global recognition of this long held understanding amongst people of faith across the globe.

Under section 2.2.2 we welcome the recognition that the Chaplain’s own faith and beliefs have a bearing on the care she/he delivers. However, we feel that similar recognition should be given to the role other health professionals play in spiritual care within the NHS and the relevance and impact of their beliefs upon this.

Under section 4.2 we welcome the recognition that the spiritual health and development of Chaplains is integral to their delivery of effective spiritual care, and that space should be given in their professional development programmes to spiritual development. However, we also note that the spiritual care given by other health professionals also is affected in the same manner, and that space for a spiritual life within the workplace is important (e.g. supporting the role of faith based workplace groups in NHS institutions as part not just of diversity policy, but as a valuable source of spiritual support to all health professionals).

Response to Standards of Care Document
Standard 1 – we feel that there needs to be more focus on the multidisciplinary aspects of spiritual care, and in particular to the role of Chaplains in training and supervising medical and nursing staff in identifying the spiritual needs of patients and making appropriate referrals to chaplaincy services. We also feel that the role of nurses in particular as spiritual care givers needs more recognition, both in training and ongoing professional support – as van Leeuwen (2008) has noted[1] – nurses are uniquely placed to assess and deliver many aspects of spiritual care, but need to develop the core competencies and capabilities to do so . Furthermore, there is ample research on the role of nurses in particular as spiritual care providers, and the importance of engaging nurses in the spiritual care process[2].

The role of Chaplains as trainers and supervisors in this needs further development, and the importance of a team based approach that includes all staff (medical, paramedical, nursing and ancillary) in the spiritual care of patients needs further exploration and expansion in this document.

NB, we note a possible typographical error in the penultimate line of this standard talking about ‘religious transitions’ and wonder if the intended word should be ‘traditions’?

Standard 2 – again we feel that it is insufficient just to give patients written information about spiritual care services, but that all nursing and medical staff should be trained to make patients aware of these services as part of routine admissions procedures, to assess any needs and make referrals accordingly and during subsequent re-assessments of treatment and care the spiritual care needs of the patient should also be routinely re-assessed by these staff. Again, we would emphasise an vital role of Chaplains in the training and support of staff in this.

Standard 3 – we welcome the involvement of faith communities in spiritual care services, and the importance of developing and maintaining good relationships with these communities. Spirituality in most non-Western cultures and religions (and indeed for most practising Christians in the majority population) is not worked out primarily within the individual context, but in the context of wider family and community, and therefore the inclusion of the wider faith community (where appropriate) is more effective and beneficial than a purely individualised emphasis.

Standard 4 – we welcome a clear recognition of the role of chaplaincy services in the spiritual care and support of NHS staff. This is a vital, but often unrecognised role played by Chaplains. We also feel there should be recognition of the role of chaplaincy in supporting and sometimes facilitating faith based staff groups as a means to supporting the spiritual well being of staff.

Standard 7 – we welcome the input of chaplaincy services to major incident planning in NHS institutions, recognising the spiritual impact of major incidents on those directly affected, the wider community (including faith communities) and the NHS staff caring for those affected.
Overall we feel that Chaplains have a vital role in the induction and ongoing training of all NHS staff. It is vital that all staff are aware of the spiritual care services provided within each trust, why they are needed, and how to refer patients as appropriate. We also feel that there should be more recognition of the role of other NHS staff in spiritual care delivery in these documents, particularly that of nursing staff. Furthermore, in light of recent cases such as that of Caroline Petrie, good training and clear guidelines on spiritual care are vital to protect patients and staff from inappropriate interventions, or to disproportionate disciplinary measures due to misinterpretations of spiritual care interventions.

Finally, we would like to thank the Welsh Assembly for putting these guidelines out to public consultation, and for the recognition within the Assembly and Executive of the importance of the spiritual dimensions of healthcare.

_________________________
References:

1: Van Leeuwen, R (2008), Towards Nursing Competencies in Spiritual Care, University of Gronigen
2: E.g. Ross, LA (2006) Spiritual Care in Nursing: an overview of the research to date. Journal of Clinical Nursing 15 (7), 852-862

8th European Regional Conference of Nurses Christian Fellowship International

2009-11-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

‘Caring across boundaries: The challenges of nursing in a globalised world’

31 May – 5 June 2010

Rehoboth Centre, Valea Drăganului, Romania

www.fundatiaemanuel.ro

Full brochure with programme and booking forms available here

In the 21st century globalisation is shaping our lives more than ever – in particular in the movement not just of ideas and resources, but of individuals. As the European Union has expanded, professionals and skilled workers have moved around the continent to find new work and new career opportunities. Nurses in particular travel far and wide from their home countries in search of job opportunities and career advancement.
As we travel across cultural, geographical and political boundaries in our caring profession, we are also caring for people who have travelled from their home nations. This presents us with many challenges, both professional and spiritual. These are not new challenges – the early church faced them as they spread the Good News about Jesus from Judea and Galilee to the farthest reaches of the Roman Empire and beyond, in a time of globalisation that in many ways echoes our own. What can we learn from scripture and professional practice about how to respond to globalisation as nurses?

The aims of this conference are to:
• Examine how nurses live with change, difference, uncertainty and opportunity in the light of globalisation and the gospel
• Reflect on professional practice in the light of faith and globalisation
• Explore future issues for the nursing profession in Europe.

The Bible Exposition will be on the book of Daniel and will be led by Pastor Beniamin Fărăgău (Iris Baptist Church, Cluj). Daniel was a man who lived across cultures as a Jewish exile in the Empire of Babylon, but who also maintained his faith and integrity.

The opening address of the conference will be given by Barbara White, President of Nurses Christian Fellowship International.

Plenaries on each morning will be given by leading nurses from across Europe on professional topics related to the conference theme and the Bible Exposition.

You can download the conference brochure and booking form here

If you wish to submit an abstract, poster or workshop, click here

Email ncfi.europe@gmail.com to order print copies of the brochure and booking form or for any other enquiries.

CNM & CTN Day Conference in Leicester

2009-08-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

Where the Rubber Hits the Road:
Living as a Christian in Today's NHS

Saturday 17 October
Holy Trinity Church, Turner St, Leicester LE1 6WY
Time: 10:30 - 16:00

Following on from the success of the June Day Conference in London, CNM & CTN will be holding a second day conference. "Where the Rubber Hits the Road" will be looking at some of the practical issues facing Christians working in the health service, including how to set up a workplace fellowship, witnessing at work (Saline Solution) and an exploration of some of the legal and professional issues about expressing faith in the modern NHS. We will have a Bible address from Rodney Green. Click here to download a booking form or contact info@cnm.org.uk for more information

RCN Policy Shift on Assisted Suicide

2009-08-05T05:58:00.000-07:00

Christian Nurses and Midwives regrets RCN policy shift on assisted suicide

The decision by the RCN to change its position from opposing assisted suicide for terminally ill patients to one of neutrality on 24 July 2009 is an unfortunate policy shift by the Royal College.

CNM Secretary Steve Fouch said, "While we welcome the consultation process, by the RCN's own admission only half its membership were reached, of those less than 1% responded, and less than half of those expressed a desire to shift policy either in favour or towards neutrality on this issue. Therefore, a quarter of one per cent of the membership expressed a desire to change policy. This seems a somewhat tenuous basis for realigning the College's stance. Overall there is scant evidence of a sea change among nurses to favour assisted suicide."

He continued, "CNM does not feel the profession should step back from actively opposing legal changes that would loosen safeguards for vulnerable patients, or change the role of the nurse to one which actively aids the death of a patient. This would fundamentally change the nature of the nurse/patient relationship and would be detrimental to the care of dying, disabled, and elderly patients. At a time when there is growing anxiety about how we will care for the elderly and severely disabled in the future, this policy shift sends the wrong signals to the vulnerable."

June CNM National Conference

2009-08-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Due to the unfortunate cancellation of the CNM national conference in February because of bad weather, we are delighted to announce that our speaker, Jeremy Hobson, will be sharing with us at a day conference on June 13th 2009 at Johnson House, 6 Marshalsea Road, London SE1 1HL.

Our focus will be on 1 John and the importance of Christ like relationships in the work place.

Click here to download more information and a booking form.

National Conference - 2008

2009-08-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

This year’s national conference for Christians in the allied professions, nursing and midwifery will focus on how we can live out our faith in Jesus in our day-to-day relationships. The speaker will be Jeremy Hobson. Jeremy is the vicar of St. James’ s Clerkenwell and formerly a surgeon in the NHS.

For a booking form and further details click here

Email enquiries to conference@cnm.org.uk or ring 020 7234 9668

CNM Day Conference - Swindon, 2008

2009-08-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

CNM Day Conference
Swindon
October 25th 2008

Truth in Practice Practice: dealing with competing truth claims in the workplace

In our modern, multicultural society we are daily faced with people who have a wide range of different values, beliefs and practices. In the healthcare setting we see these difference perhaps more acutely than in any other setting. This one day conference for nurses, midwives and other health professionals is a chance to explore more fully how our Christian faith informs our values and practices as health workers, and how we can respond positively the competing truth claims in the world around us.

For a booking form and further information click here

Confident Christianity Training Day - 2008

2009-08-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

Confident Christianity Training Day
Saturday 19 July, 09:30-17:00
City Evangelical Church, 1 Greenfield Crescent, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3BE

Do not be afraid of anyone and do not worry... Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:14-16 (GNB)

Do you find this difficult to live out in practice? If a friend asked you for a brief explanation of the Christian faith what would you say?

This training day is for those who want to be more confident in sharing the good news about Jesus - with gentleness and respect.

For more information email info@cnm.org.uk
or ring 020 7234 9668.

Click Here to download a booking form and more information.

CNM National Conference - 2008

2009-08-05T05:51:00.000-07:00

"Radically Different:
Set Apart for God in the Workplace"
Friday, Feb 1-3, 2008
Hebron Hall, Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan (near Cardiff)

At this year’s national conference for nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and students, Tim Cudmore will be leading us through what the Bible says about being set apart for God’s service in our every day work. There will also be opportunity to discuss the personal implications of the talks in small groups and to pray for one another.

This is well known as a friendly conference with plenty of time for good food and fellowship, as well as times for personal and corporate prayer, worship, learning and reflection.

For booking forms and further information contact Steve Fouch (CNM Secretary) at the phone or email below, or click here to download a booking form (as a PDF).

Phone: 02072349668
conferences@cnm.org.uk

3rd International Conference -2007

2009-08-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

The Nursing/Midwifery Studies of the Institute of Health Care, University of Malta will be hosting the 3rd International Conference on 'Spirituality: The Human Dimension In Care' in Malta on the 25th and 26th October 2007. This Conference aims to increase the awareness of spirituality in care giving among students and health care professionals, to enhance the multidisciplinary team approach towards holistic care.

Remember, the earlier you book, the better!

The Programme of the conference and the Registration form (which includes information on the accommodation) can be downloaded here:

The Programme
The Application

The CNM Annual Conference - 2007

2009-08-05T05:49:00.001-07:00

The CNM Annual Conference (held jointly with the Christian Therapists Network - www.ctn.org.uk - will be the weekend of February 2-4 2007 at Hebron Hall, near Cardiff.

This year’s conference sees a change of location to South Wales, at an excellent venue well linked to motorways and public transport.

We will be focussing this year on the wisdom of the book of Proverbs and its relevance our work and lives in the 21st Century. Hugh Thomas will be the main speaker, talking on "Working Wisdom". As ever there will be wide range of seminars and social events over the course of the weekend for all - nurses and therapists, student and qualified.

You can download a booking form, or write to the CNM office and we can post you one.

2006 NCFI European Regional Newsletter

2009-08-05T05:47:00.002-07:00

The 2006 edition of the Nurses Christian Fellowship International European Regional Newsletter is now available - as a PDF that you can download here or from the NCFI Europe website at www.ncfieurope.org - with news on the activities of Christian nurses groups across the continent, and news of upcoming events.

Also: remember, there is only a limited time left to book in to the NCFI European regional Conference in the Netherlands in August - please visit the NCFI Europe website for more details and a booking form. This is a great opportunity to join with Christian nurses and midwives from across Europe for learning and fellowship. The Bible studies at the conference will be led by Pablo Martinez, the renowned Spanish Christian psychiatrist and author.

Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill

2009-08-05T05:47:00.001-07:00

The Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill has been stalled by a vote in the House of Lords on May 12 2006, where a delaying amendment was agreed by 148 votes to 100. Although this effectively kills this piece of legislation for now, it will return again in the next Parliament in a different form, and so the campaign to stop the incremental introduction of legalised euthanasia to the UK will continue.

Thank you to all our members and others who wrote to the Lords, to their MPs or who turned up to demonstrate their concern on May 12. Over 100,000 people also signed a petition against this legislation that was handed in to 10 Downing Street.

News and information on the campaign for more and better palliative and end of life care in the UK, and to oppose the legalisation of euthanasia can be found here

Care Not Killing

2009-08-05T05:46:00.001-07:00

Care Not Killing is a new alliance of 28 organisations formed to promote palliative care and oppose euthanasia. It was launched at the end of January, and members include the Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain & Ireland, the British Council of Disabled People, RADAR, the Christian Medical Fellowship and the Medical Ethics Alliance and Christian Nurses and Midwives. CNM strongly supports the Alliance's aims, as it believes that these are closely linked to the Christian ethics of nursing and care for the dying and other vulnerable groups.

For more information on the campaign for wider access to good palliative care, and against euthanasia and assisted suicide, please visit the website .

"Whatever next...?"

2009-08-05T05:44:00.000-07:00

Whatever next...? - Developing a Biblical response to current healthcare trends.

The National Conference for Christians in Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions at Quinta Conference Centre, Shropshire

3-5th March 2006

'The point is not to predict the future but to prepare for it and shape it' [Anon]

"Therefore prepare your mind for action"
[1 Peter 1:13]

At this year's national conference John Wyatt, a leading thinker and speaker in the world of Christian Medical Ethics, will help us take a practical look at some of the current trends in today's healthcare climate and explore how we can develop an appropriate Biblical response in our day-to-day working lives.

This conference also provides opportunities to attend seminars on a variety of relevant topics and a chance to talk and pray with others who work in similar situations. There will be a large resource area with books and information relevant to healthcare in this country and overseas.

Don't miss this opportunity to meet other Christians within your profession and strengthen relationships between the professions.

Click here to download a booking form (PDF) or contact the Steve Fouch at the CNM office

7th European NCFI conference

2009-08-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

The European Region
of Nurses Christian Fellowship International (NCFI) invites Christian nurses and nursing students to the 7th European NCFI conference, to be held in Ede, the Netherlands, from August 22 - 26, 2006. The conference will be hosted by the nursing departments and the Lectorate Ethics of Care Research Institute of the Christian University Ede, and the Reformed University of Zwolle, in cooperation with the Prof.dr. G.A. Lindeboom Institute, a Christian centre for medical ethics, in Ede, The Netherlands.

This four-day conference is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other Christian nurses and international speakers, and explore the heart and soul of the nursing profession: ethics and spirituality. It will enable nurses to share the relevance of biblical teaching to nursing practice so that they can be a Christian presence in health care.

To book a place at the conference, either download the booking form and brochure, or visit the NCFI European website at www.ncfieurope.org

“Suffering – A Christian Nurse’s Response”

2009-08-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

CNM Autumn Day Conference
Saturday Nov 26 2005
From 10 a.m. – 4.p.m

“Suffering – A Christian Nurse’s Response”
with Peter Swift

Grove Chapel, 96A Camberwell Grove, London SE5 8RF
[click here for more information]

This one-day conference is for all Christian nurses, midwives health visitors and students.

Peter Swift, senior staff nurse in paediatric ITU at Guy’s & St. Thomas’ London, will explore the Biblical approach to suffering and its practical application to our day-to-day practice.

This will also be a time for sharing fellowship and prayer with other Christian nurses, midwives, health visitors and students, and there will be optional afternoon seminars, a CNM News update, and a fellowship lunch together.

The booking fee is £10 (£5 students) and covers lunch and all other costs.

For more information download the flyer in word format, contact the CNM office – email or telephone 07941 80063

Healthcare Sunday

2009-08-05T05:35:00.000-07:00

This October 16 will be designated as Healthcare Sunday. This year the theme is “Heroes of Healthcare”, looking at the everyday impact that health professionals and informal carers have on our day-to-day lives. Healthcare Sunday gives Churches a chance to pray for support their own members in the caring professions.

If your church, house group or local CNM group would be interested in running an event or praying around these issues, resources are available on-line here or by emailing , or telephoning

Saline Solution - 2005

2009-08-05T05:33:00.002-07:00

Every Christian nurse and midwife has a unique opportunity to improve both the physical and spiritual health of their patients, but many feel frustrated by the challenge of integrating their faith and practice within the time constraints of the daily schedule. And yet there is now a growing recognition in the nursing and midwifery literature of the important link between spirituality and health.

In our contact with patients we are called to be 'the salt of the earth' - flavouring life with grace rather than blasting people with the truth. The Saline Solution is a new course developed by the Christian Medical Fellowship aimed at helping Christian health professionals of all disciplines to bring Christ into their day-to-day contact with patients. So far it has helped hundreds to be more comfortable and adept at practising healthcare that addresses the needs of the whole person.

The course is aimed at helping us draw patients in a natural way one step closer to a relationship with God through recognising God-given opportunities to touch them with the love of God without being pushy, forced or offensive.

This autumn, there are a number of multidisciplinary Saline Solution courses running across the UK including:

Wed 2 Nov - Warwick
Tues 8 Nov - Inverness
Thurs 10 Nov - Leicester
Wed 7 Dec - York
Fri 9 Dec - Leeds

Other events are planned, and more details can be found here or by contacting CNM on saline@cnm.org,uk

Autumn Conference in London

2009-08-05T05:33:00.001-07:00

Plans are afoot for a one day CNM conference in London this autumn. Watch this space in the next few weeks for more details.

"Whatever next..."

2009-08-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

Developing a Biblical Response to Current Healthcare Trends
3-5th March 2006,
Quinta Conference Centre, Shropshire

Main Seaker:
Professor John Wyatt
Consultant Neonatologist and well-renowned author and speaker on Christian Healthcare Ethics

Click here for the flyer in PDF format or for further information call 07986 433493 or email