Chaplaincy funding and the NHS

We campaign for an end to scarce health service funds being spent on the provision of hospital chaplains. We contend that if churches, mosques and temples wish to have representation in hospitals, they should do it at their own expense.

We do not seek an end to chaplaincy services, but we do argue that the taxpayer should not be made responsible for them.

Using the Freedom of Information Act, the NSS undertook its own research into the cost of chaplaincy services after the Government said it did not keep centralised figures on such spending. It was discovered that chaplaincy services are costing the National Health Service more than £32million.

Chaplaincy Costs (PDF, 168 Kb)
View the full list of English Hospital Trusts and what they spend on chaplains
NHS Chaplains Report (PDF, 101 Kb)
View our report to the Department of Health
Religious demands costing NHS over £40 million a year
Read our press release on chaplaincy funding
'Hospital Chaplains'
Read the Secular Medical Forum's position on chaplains