I picked this leaflet up recently during a hospital chaplaincy visit to St Tiggywinkle's, and I thought it was worth tossing in to the discussions some of us in the 'Buddhist community' are having about the Buddhist chaplaincy role: what chaplains do, how to measure the outcomes, how to benchmark the performance specifications, and all the other important aspects of the developing work.
I thought this was remarkably cogent and fitted in very well with the modern approach to health-care and spirituality being promoted within the NHS.
St TIGGYWINKLE'S NHS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION TRUST HOSPITALS
DEPARTMENT OF MEANING, PURPOSE AND HOPE (formerly SPIRITUAL AND PASTORAL CARE formerly "Hospital Chaplaincy")
NOTICE TO PATIENTS
The procedure you will undergo is designed to explore meaning, purpose and hope, and our technicians are specially trained and experienced in it. These guidelines will help you to cooperate in the procedure and get the most benefit from it.
When in the cubicle, please remove any scepticism you are wearing and leave it in the tray under the couch. IMPORTANT: If you are carrying any scientific materialism please deposit it in the red bucket in the corner and replace the lid firmly.
Lie on the couch and make yourself comfortable and credulous. A technician will be with you soon.
The procedure isn't painful, but some patients experience a warm 'connected' feeling, and there may be a little discomfort during the installation of new meaning. This usually passes off quickly.
When the exploration is complete you may have a slightly renewed purpose, so it is all right to have a cup of tea and a light meal (not provided) in the Tiggywinkle Terrace Restaurant and BrunchBar.
Further explorations may be needed. If so, the technician will advise you, and make a further appointment.
We welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions. There is a form for this purpose on the way out. You don't need to give your name, but to help us provide a culturally and socially equitable service we do request that you answer the questions on gender, age, ethnicity, sexual preferences and whether you have read Professor Dawkin's book, "The God Delusion". All of it? Really?
Please remember to collect your scepticism etc before you leave the cubicle. St Tiggywinkle's accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage to your incredulity as a result of this exploration.
The procedure could also affect your hoping mechanisms: you may notice hoping that we have a nice day; so thank you, and the same to you. See you later!
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