Present were Dr Heather Richardson (Clinical Director), Sister Hilary Thompson (Religious Sisters of Charity), Confrère Michael Seed, and Deebs Canning (Senior Lecturer, St Joseph’s Hospice & City University).

Sister Hilary Thompson introduced the individual and personal centred approach that was central to the Specialist Care teams at St Joseph’s, as opposed to the institutional management of the patient.  This matched perfectly with the Spiritual Companionship concept put forward by the Order.

There was an in depth discussion of the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus concept of Spiritual Companionship in the EoL setting, and discussed current experience, practice, and training. The concept itself was agreed encapsulated an area that was served by practitioners skilled in the art, but not formally taught, and that the level of teaching and psychology is less developed when compared with other areas of psychological and spiritual practice. It was noted that such skills are profoundly lacking in the Hospital environment, and should be addressed. The Hospice at Home movement was also mentioned with respect to Marie Curie and Macmillan nursing expertise, and the lack of expertise in other non-clinical carers. The Hospital setting was considered a viable target in that the essence of Spiritual Companionship is compatible with the busy Hospital regime by being incorporated by clinical staff at all regular points of clinical contact with the patient.  

It was in this light there was a detailed discussion on the separation of religious and inner spirituality as defined in the clinical setting.

Dr Richardson stated there was a real need in this area, and that Saint Joseph’s staff and educationalists would be consulted to determine a general agreement that this go forward.