Hospitals in dire cash crisis, but the chaplains sail merrily on

By Terry Sanderson

Not a week goes by now without more depressing headlines about the gradual demolition of the NHS. Recent ones include:

• Closure-threatened hospital units performing well
• Brent Council holding talks over threatened A&E closure
• 800 take to the streets over the future of Blaenau Ffestiniog hospital
• Closure move for Malton hospital
• Health chiefs confirm Charing Cross and Hammersmith A&E closure
• Stars join fight to save Whittington hospital
• Patient safety put at risk as Bolton hospital as debts rise

But however many nurses are put on the scrap heap, however many doctors are given their marching orders, there always seems to be money for chaplains.

For example, take a look at this job advert from the latest Church Times:

Bradford teaching Hospital – Chaplain, Christian, £25,528–£34,189 for 37.5 hours a week. The Trust says it "recognises that chaplaincy is an essential component of patient care and is committed to maintaining its provision of chaplaincy services".

The Southwest Yorkshire Foundation NHS Trust is also looking for a chaplain on the same salary scale. As is the Weston-Super Mare hospital.

Meanwhile, people are dying because of lack of medical resources at hospitals