The Chaplaincy Team at the Queen Alexandra (QA) Hospital arranged a training session on 21st May, 2011.This is part of the Continuous Development programme for Chaplains Assistants. The programme included a presentation by Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo, Resident Alim/Imam at Al Mahdi Wessex Centre, and a workshop conducted by Reverend Jeanette Power, Team Chaplain at the QA Hospital.
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo, recognised as a Hospital Chaplaincy volunteer at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, has been working alongside the appointed Chaplains ministering to people of all faiths and none.
Based on the Ministry from the Muslim Faith Sheikh Fazle Abbas delivered an address on the theme:- “A Different Faith Perspective on Spiritual and Religious Care”.
In the talk, Sheikh Fazle Abbas discussed as to how, as a Muslim, he plays a role in the Chaplaincy Team with Muslim, Non Muslims and People of No Faith in the hospital. By sharing stories of his experiences at the Hospital, Sheikh Fazle Abbas was able to outline the particular needs for patients/visitors of the Muslim faith.
Thereafter, over twenty Chaplains Assistants in attendance, drawn from various denominations in the Christian Church, had an opportunity to pose their questions.
“In addition to sharing my experiences with my colleagues, this session gave me an opportunity to discuss ways in which the members of the Chaplaincy Team are able to support me in my role at the Hospital. I am sure that this presentation will re assure the team on my role and they will gladly refer any Muslim patients they find during their visits.” commented Sheikh Fazle Abbas.
The next session of the day was an interactive Workshop on Privacy and Dignity. Based on the Patients Charter, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, “Dignity is a priority and at the heart of everything we do.”
Reverend Jeanette Power facilitated the session whereby the participants were able to draw up a Chaplaincy Dignity Charter covering three Core Areas: General visiting, Spiritual Care, and Religious Care.
The session ended with prayer session.
Reverend Jeanette Power, Team Chaplain at the QA Hospital observed that, “In our recent training morning the Chaplaincy Assistants benefitted greatly from hearing how Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo cares for Muslim and non Muslim patients within the hospital. It is essential that we are able to offer the same spiritual and religious care to all patients whatever their background or belief, and Sheikh Fazle Abbas’ invaluable contribution to our team enables us to make a more informed and appropriate response to our Muslim patients.”